Thermoeconomic Evaluation & Intelligent Optimization of Solar-thermal Driven Single-Effect LiBr-H2O Absorption Refrigeration System

A single effect absorption refrigeration system is analyzed which utilize solar energy to provide heat input from the viewpoint of thermodynamics and economics. The flat-plate collector is considered for study of the operation of current system which emphasize use of renewable energy sources for the system analysis and various exergy based applications in the field of sustainable energy and its management. The cost parameters for various components are also included in the computational model to check the effects of exergy losses associated with the streams of the components of the system, using Engineering Equation Solver (EES). A cost minimization method is applied to determine the economic costs of flows and products of the system by using various cost equations. The system performance evaluated to observe the effects of variables on costs and enables to suggest values of design variables that would make the overall system cost effective. An intelligent optimization technique (TLBO) is used to find optimal set of values necessary for the system in a multiobjective optimization process. These values of absorber, condenser and generator temperatures are studied to learn the behavior of the system. The exergy streams in the heat rejecting and absorbing components play a vital role in the performance of VARS. This researchaims to examine the control variables and focus on aspects of the concept of flow and quality of energy.