TRNSYS Modelling of Solar Cooling Systems with Air-conditioning with Separated Sensible and Latent Heat Treatment

The objective of this study is to develop a simulation model for designing and evaluating solar cooling systems based on TRNSYS, a modelling tool for building equipment. The system is assumed to consist of solar collectors, an adsorption chiller, an absorption chiller, a desiccant air-conditioner and a boiler. The feature of the modelling in this study is that the air conditioning load in summer is separated into sensible cooling and latent cooling, where the dehumidification by desiccant air-conditioning is explicitly expressed. The desiccant air-conditioning system is operated with hot water from the solar collectors and chilled water from the adsorption chiller driven with solar thermal. The system consists of a total heat exchanging rotor and a desiccant rotor. A supercooling process with chilled water from the chillers is also incorporated to control the dehumidification. The operation of the solar cooling system was analysed by TRNSYS simulation taking into account the air conditioning load of a hospital in Japan. The system works to supply cooling and hot water in summer season while heating and hot water in winter season. The total contribution of solar thermal energy was evaluated from the viewpoint of reducing primary energy consumption.