Energetic, Economic and Environmental (3E)
2ptimization of 6olar $ssisted +eat 3ump 8sing
/ow GWP 5efrigerant R1234ze(E) for +igh
7emperature $pplication
Nasruddin Nasruddin, M Idrus Alhamid, Nyayu Aisyah
Department of Mechanical Engineering Universitas Indonesia
Depok, Indonesia
nasruddin@eng.ui.ac.id
Abstract— A combination of solar thermal collectors and heat
pumps in a solar assisted heat pump for high temperature
application at 105oC is modeled and optimized. The model is
designed by using Matlab software. The optimization procedure,
coefficient of performance and total cost becomes the objective
functions while the evaporating temperature, suction compressor
temperature and condensing temperature are selected as
constraints. Multi objective genetic algorithm is used to find the
optimum value of those selected constraints. The optimization is
performed by using a low GWP refrigerant, R1234ze (E). The
result showed that an evaporating temperature of 319 K, suction
compressor temperature of 372 K and condensing temperature of
379 K indicated the optimum condition of solar assisted heat
pump with COP of 5.04 and total cost of 82,678 US$.
Keywords—solar assisted heat pump, COP, total cost, multi
objective genetic algorithm.
I. INTRODUCTION
Two major problems have emerged in the last decade. The
first is the increasing demand of energy by the expanding
human population growth. The second is the environmental
issue of ozone depletion and global warming [1-3]. Scientists
have been striving to seek the alternative energy sources and
develop new system that more efficient and environmental
friendly. Solar energy and heat pump technology appear to be
the solution for the problems. Heat pumps function as a means
of efficient energy recovery while solar energy is a renewable
and clean energy.
The combination of solar energy and heat pumps in a solar
assisted heat pump has been carried out in recent years.
Previous research reported on the use of solar assisted heat
pump systems for space heating, drying, domestic water
production and steam generation [4]. Chaturvedi et al.
performed thermodynamic analysis of two-stage direct
expansion solar assisted heat pumps for high temperature
applications. The results showed that the heat pump system
has a Coefficient of Performance of 2.7 – 3.0 [5].
‹,(((
Other researchers have also conducted simulation and
modeling of solar assisted heat pump systems. Live Holmedal
has optimized domestic water heating systems integrated with
heat pumps and flat plate solar collectors. The objective of the
research is to provide operating parameter values, and then
perform optimization to determine the optimum values to
deliver outstanding performance at low operating costs. The
results of the research revealed that a 5% the efficiency of
electricity use and a 3.0 COP can attained by adjusted the
angle of the solar collector, regulated the supply air
temperature and the flow rate [6].
Kuang et al. analyzed the performance of a multi-
functional system of solar assisted heat pumps by varying the
compressor rotation and placement angle of flat plate solar
collectors [7]. Mohan predicted the performance of DX-SAHP
by using artificial neural networks. In analyzing the
performance of the heat pump system, several parameters
must be considered such ad, power consumption, heating
capacity, compressor discharge temperature, intensity of solar
radiation and ambient temperature [8].
Previous studies have known that solar-assisted heat
pumps confer great benefits in terms of energy and effect on
the environment. Based on data from the IEA Heat Pump
Centre, about 6% of world CO2 emissions can be reduced with
the use of heat pump technology [9]. Using heat pump
technology that has a high COP value could reduce emissions
of CO2, NOx and SOx in the air and make the use of energy in
a system more efficiently [10].
For that reasons, this study looks into modeling a solar
assisted heat pump system. Considerin that Indonesia has a
tropical climate and average irradiation of 10-12 hours a day
as well as average sun radiation emissions of 4.8kWh / m2 per
day [11], integrating a solar thermal collector systems with
heat pumps can be said to be a promising solution. Modeling
is performed using software MATLAB and REFPROP. The
integrated solar thermal collectors act as an evaporator in the
heat pump system and becomes the main energy source. This
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study used low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant,
R1234ze (E).
The reason for selecting R1234ze (E) as a refrigerant for
this system is because of its thermodynamic properties. The
critical temperature of R1234ze is suitable for a high
temperature heat pump that can reach temperature up to
150oC, which can be used in industrial applications. In
addition, R1234ze (E) has a low GWP of around 6 and this
refrigerant has been nominated as an alternative for R134a
[12].
The objective of this research is to generate steam with a
temperature of 105oC. Furthermore, the system is optimized
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of Solar Assisted Heat Pump
Working fluid enters the evaporator at a given temperature
and is vaporized by indirectly absorbing the energy from solar
collector. The working fluid exits the evaporator as saturated
or superheated vapor and then passes through a low
temperature compressor circuit. After that, the working fluid
Figure 2. P-h diagram of Solar Assisted Heat Pump
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by using multi-objective genetic algorithm. The COP and total
cost are selected as the objective function, while the
constraints are evaporating temperature, suction compressor
temperature and condensing temperature. The system is
expected to reach the highest COP with the lowest total cost.
II. MODELING AND OPTIMIZING THE SYSTEM
The system consists of two circuits comprising a high
temperature circuit and a low temperature circuit. Each circuit
used R1234ze(E) as its working fluid. Figure 1 gives the
schematic diagram of the system.
enters the flash tank and moves into the high temperature
compressor. High pressure and high temperature working fluid
enters the condenser and releases heat to become waste heat at
the cold side of the condenser. P-h diagram and the system
cycle can be seen in Figure 2.
 Figure 3 shows the outlines of the optimization plan. The
first step is to select the refrigerant which is suitable for the
system, and then proceed to modeling the system using mass
Figure 3. The outline of the research
A. Selecting the suitable refrigerant for the system
Some parameters that must be considered in the selection
of working fluids in the heat pump system is the critical
pressure, critical temperature, global warming potential
(GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP). High critical
temperature provides great possibilities for transferring heat at
high temperature with a critical cycle. While the critical
pressure should be low.
In addition, zero ODP and zero GWP should also be
considered. Based on ASHRAE the classification, the working
fluid must be located in the A1 category, which means non-
toxic and non-flammable (ASHRAE, 2010).
The solar assisted heat pump requires a refrigerant that
serves as a heat carrier in its cycle which means that it absorbs
heat at a low temperature level and releases heat at higher
temperature levels. In Indonesia most air conditioning use
refrigerants that contain CFC (Chloro Fluoro Carbon) which
can damage the ozone layer (O3) and HCFCs (Hydro Chloro
Fluoro Carbon) which can absorb infrared radiation thus
contributing in global warming.
This study uses an environmental friendly refrigerants that
has a low GWP. R1234ze (E) is selected as the best refrigerant
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and energy balance. Then result are then validated by
comparing them with other references. The final step is to
optimize the system using a multi objective genetic algorithm.
for this system, due to its high critical temperature and low
GWP and ODP.
B. Thermo-economic modeling of the system
A simulation model is performed to predict the thermal
performance of a solar assisted heat pump. The model is
simulated by using MATLAB, while the thermodynamic
properties of the refrigerant are determined by using
REFPROP. In this case, REFPROP is linked to MATLAB, so
during the simulation, the properties of working fluid can be
called from the REFPROP database.
The system is modeled based on the following
assumptions:
• Pressure and heat losses in pipe networks are negligible.
• All system components operate under steady state
conditions.
Based on the above assumptions, the energy balance
equation used to calculate the mass flow rate in the cycle, the
compressor work and the rate of heat transfer. The detailed
thermal modeling of the system is described in the following
explanation.
 1. Evaporator and condenser the total cost of the system. Thus the environment cost can be
calculated as follows :
The energy balance for water and refrigerant in the ೘಴ೀమ ೣ಴಴ೀమ
condenser and evaporator is : ‫ ݒ݊݁ܥ‬ൌ  భబబబ
(8)
ே௫ଷ଺଴଴
Q = mref (h4 – h5) = mwater cp dT (1) Where CCO2 is the unit damage cost of carbon dioxide, N is
Where mref and mwater are mass flow rate of refrigerant and the total operation hours, mCO2 is the mass of carbon dioxide
water in the condenser and evaporator, h4 and h5 are enthalpy which can be calculated using equation 9 as follows :
of refrigerant that enters and exits the condenser. While cp is mCO2 = μCO2 x annual electricity consumption (9)
the heat capacity of water and dT is the temperature difference
between inlet water and outlet water. C. Optimization Plan
In modeling the heat exchanger, it is important to consider The optimization process is performed to find the optimum
the pressure drop. The pressure drop is calculated using parameters values. In this research, optimization is conducted
equation 2 : by using Matlab through Optimtool tools with multi-objective
ଶ௙೟೛ ீ మ
genetic algorithms.
οܲ ൌ (2)
ௗ೓ ఘ೑ Multi objective optimization can be defined as in the
Where ftp is the two phase friction factor, G is mass flux, dh is following explanation.
the hydraulic diameter. Determine the value of x = (xi) i = 1, 2, ...., Npar
gj (x) = 0 j = 1, 2, ..., m
2. Compressor hk (x) < 0 k = 1, 2, ..., m
To determine the coefficient of performance of the heat The optimization method uses the iterative process that
pump, it is necessary to calculate the work of the compressor follows the principles of biological evolution. The results of
the multi-objective optimization is not a single solution, but
as follows :
rather a set of solutions or optimum values of the decision
variables that make up a population of solutions. Each solution
WLT = mrefLT (h2s – h1), Watt (3) of the multiobjective optimization result is an optimum value,
WHT = mrefHT (h4s – h3), Watt (4) and no single solution is more optimal than any other solution.
Therefore, the selection of the solution is determined based on
Where mref is the mass flow of refrigerant and h2s and h1 are either the performance or the economic aspect. Figure 4 shows
the enthalpy of refrigerant that exits and enters the low a flow diagram of a heat pump system optimization plan.
temperature compressor while h4s and h3 are the enthalpy of
refrigerant that exits and enters the high temperature
compressor.
3. Expansion valve
Expansion valve has a function to reduce the pressure of
the refrigerant that exits the condenser and also its
temperature. A general equation that represents a process that
occurs in the expansion valve is:
h3 = h4 (4)

4. Total cost
The equation for calculating the components of the overall
cost of the system can be described as follows:
Ctotal = Cinvestation + Coperational + Cenv (5)

Where,
Cinvestation = [ Cinv,cond + Cinv,evap + Cinv,comp + Cinv,coll] x CRF (6)

Coperational = [Celec.h.Ccomp] (7)

5. Environment consideration

In this research, the amount of carbon dioxide emission is Figure 4. Optimization Plan
considered as one of the important parameters that influence

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 III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
After the mathematical models have been designed, the
optimization procedure of the heat pump system is performed.
The optimization uses multi objective genetic algorithms. The
objective function of the system is COP and total cost, while
the constraints are the evaporation temperature, compressor
suction temperature and the condensation temperature. The
range values of those constraints are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Design parameters value
Range of
Design Parameter
Evaporating Temperature (K)
Condensing Temperature (K)
Suction Compressor Temperatur (K)
Some parameters for optimization have to be determined in
order to gain the best pareto front curve fit. The criteria of
optimization procedure is shown in Table 2.
According to pareto front in Fig 5. Point A has a high
COP value of 5.10, but at this point the total costs for the
system also reached its highest level at around 83,755 US $.
This point is considered optimum when viewed from the
aspect of the system performance only. Point B is a point
where the costs for these systems are at the minimum valueof
around 81,750 US $, but at this point the performance of the
system is at a low value that is 4.8, so point B can not be said
as an optimum point when viewed from performance and
economic aspects.
When the performance of the system is at maximum
Value
value and at minimum cost it is called the optimum point. In
313 - 323 this paper, the TOPSIS method was used to select the
optimum point. Fig 6 illustrated the selection using the
373 - 383
TOPSIS decision making method.
363- 373
84.0
83.5 Non-ideal Solution

(103)
Table 2. Some parameters for optimization Selected by
83.0
TOPSIS
TotalCost
Parameters Value
Population type Double vector
82.5
Population size 90
Pareto front population fraction 0.8
82.0
Generation 600 Ideal
-4
Function tolerance 10
81.5
The optimization procedure ends after 150 iterations. The 4.85 4.90 4.95 5.00 5.05 5.10
optimization result is shown in Fig 5. Pareto Front illustrated COP
the set of optimum solutions. From point A to point B is the Figure 6. TOPSIS decision making method
optimum point that multi objective is offered.
TOPSIS method was considered as the best method for
84.0
selecting the optimum value of a number of optimum
solutions. The optimum point can be found by creating
horizontal and vertical lines that frame the optimum curve and
83.5 A determining the ideal and non ideal point. The optimum value
(103)

was determined by selecting a point farthest to the non-ideal

point and the point that is closest to the ideal point.
83.0 The point selected by using the TOPSIS method was
TotalCost

chosen as the point with optimum operating conditions. Table

3 gives information about the optimum point selected by using
82.5
TOPSIS method.
B
82.0 Table 3. Final optimum point
Optimum
Operation Condition Point
81.5
4.85 4.90 4.95 5.00 5.05 5.10 Tevaporation (K) 319
COP Tsuction compressor(K) 372
Tcondensation (K) 379
Figure 5. The set of Pareto front for optimum solution
And Table 4 provides information about the comparision of
point A, point B and the optimum point.

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 Table 4. The comparison of three optimum points
Operation Condition Point A Point B Optimum Point
Tevaporation (K) 320 318 319
Tsuction compressor(K) 373 372 372
Tcondensation (K) 379 379 379
Design Parameter Point A Point B Optimum Point
COP 5.09 4.88 5.04
Total Cost ($) 83,796 81,715 82,678
LT Compressor Work (kW) 61,94 60.72 58.79
HT Compressor Work (kW) 27,02 30.96 30.65
Heat transfer area for evaporator (m ) 2 36,83 27.19 37.00
Heat transfer area for condenser (m ) 2 27,91 27.91 27.91

IV. CONCLUSION
The operating temperature of the system such as
evaporation and condensation will influence system
performance and operational cost. It is necessary to model and
optimize the system in order to know the optimum value of
those parameters. The solar assisted heat pump obtained the
optimum value of COP 5.04 and a total cost of 82,678 US$,
with operating conditions for the evaporation temperature at
319 K, for compressor suction temperature at 372 K, and for
condensation temperature at 379 K while using environmental
friendly refrigerant R1234ze (E).
5()(5(1&(6
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