Evaluation and parametric optimization of the thermal performance and cost effectiveness of active-indirect solar hot water plants

In the study, an investigation and comparison of the thermal performance and cost effectiveness of an active-indirect solar hot water plant (SHWP) at Incheon (Korea), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Changi (Singapore) international airports are carried out. Plant performances are analyzed for various collector areas and storage tank volumes at the ASHRAE standard flow rate and are reported in terms of the annual solar fraction, solar thermal rating, as well as the capital payback period and annualized life cycle savings. The main objective of this study is to optimize a SHWP that supplies water at 65°C to a flight kitchen for the economic benefits for an average daily energy demand. For the energy demand of 100 m³/day, the minimum payback periods of SHWPs at Incheon, Jeddah and Changi airports are 8.94 years with A_c= 1140 m²and V_t= 32 m³, 5.91 years with A_c= 750 m²and V_t= 24 m³and 8.39 years with A_c= 1050 m²and V_t= 28 m³, respectively.