Performance Modeling of a Solar Driven Absorption Cooling System for Carnegie Mellon University's Intelligent Workplace

Abstract

The Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace (IW) is a 650 m2 (7,000 ft2) living laboratory of office space at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA). The IW is involved in a project to develop, install, and test an effective solar thermal system for space heating and cooling. The proposed energy supply system configuration includes integrated compound parabolic concentrator (ICPC), a hot storage tank, a gas fired auxiliary heater, a steam generator, a steam driven absorption chiller and fan coils. A TRNSYS predictive model has been programmed and used to evaluate the performance of the system throughout a summer season. The effects on performance and on costs have been explored for various design variables and operating conditions. The performance calculations indicate that: - the 16.17 kW (55.2 kBtu/hr, 4.5 tons) absorption chiller is adequate to meet the IW south cooling requirements - 30-40m2 collectors can supply from 55 to 65% of the heat required to drive the chiller - estimated heat losses from the system can reach about 20-30% of the total heat collected.