8th International Engineering Conference on advances in Computer and Civil Engineering Towards Engineering Innovations
and Sustainability, ( IEC-2022), Erbil-Iraq
Simulation Study of Solar Assisted Absorption
2022 8th International Engineering Conference on Sustainable Technology and Development (IEC) | 978-1-6654-7829-8/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/IEC54822.2022.9807567
Cooling System using Flat Plate Collectors at Erbil
City-Iraq
Ranj Sirwan Abdullah
Mechanical and Energy Engineering Techniques Department,
Erbil Technical Engineering College
Erbil Polytechnic University
Erbil, Iraq
ranj.abdullah@epu.edu.i
Abstract-Solar energy can be used for cooling spaces when it
is coupled with an air conditioning system. In this study, solar flat
plate collector system supported by absorption cooling system was
modeled and simulated using TRNSYS 16. The main objective of
this study is to evaluate the ability of an existing thermal solar flat
plate collector system to run an absorption chiller during summer
time in Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq. First the simulation model
(TRNSYS 16) results were verified with the solar thermal heating
system installed in the Research Center of Solar Energy at Erbil
Polytechnic University. The existing solar heating system consists
of 10 flat plate solar collectors, each of 2 m2 surface area, 1 m3
storage tank, heat exchangers, 3 fan coils and pumps. The flat
plate collector system is used to run a 4.7 kW water lithium
bromide absorption chiller. The system is provided with 10 kW
external auxiliary heaters from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM during
summer. The results reveal that, during July and August, the flat
plate collector system can supply hot water without using auxiliary
heater to the generator when the set point temperature of the
auxiliary heater was at the lowest range (80 °C). The proposed
system can save up to 2926.61 kWh electricity consumption while
operating in July and August.
Keywords- flat plate solar collectors, LiBr water absorption
chiller, Solar absorption cooling, TRNSYS.
I. INTRODUCTION
Countries in the Middle East, especially Iraq, are known to
have a hot summer with high solar irradiation since it is
considered to be in the sunbelt region [1]. As cooling demand
has high coincidence to occur in countries with high solar
irradiation, the combination of solar thermal energy and cooling
seems to be an interesting alternative for traditional electricity-
driven cooling systems where electricity is generated from fossil
fuel. While the needs for cooling services increase, these lead to
increase the required energy which produces more CO2
emission. These factors create the need for air conditioning
during summer. In addition, the required energy for air
conditioning of buildings is too high due to the high temperature
978-1-6654-7829-8/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE
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Sally Afram Polus
Mechanical and Energy Engineering Techniques Department
Erbil Technical Engineering College
Erbil Polytechnic University.
Erbil, Iraq
sally.polus@epu.edu.iq
encountered specially during June, July and August, which
increases energy demand and power consumption. The required
energy for cooling and heating has increased significantly
during the last decades. And according to the studies, about 30-
40 % of the energy is consumed through the air conditioning of
the building [2]-[3]. A solar radiation considered as an
alternative solution to the increasing demand of power
consumption especially at peak load hours during the peak
seasons of summer since the solar radiation is at the highest rate
as well. Therefore, an alternative solution to this is the use of
the renewable energy resources in combination with cooling
system (solar thermal assisted cooling system), which represents
an excellent solution of electricity driven cooling system. The
most available of renewable energy is considered as the solar
energy [3]-[4]. Flat-plate collectors are the most common solar
collector for solar water heating systems especially for low and
medium temperature of water because they are simple, cost less
and offer acceptable efficiencies and outlet temperature [5]-[7].
Flat plate solar collectors can be used to replace the energy
consumption of non-renewable resources [8]. Thus, the flat plat
solar collector can be used to collect solar energy and then use it
for building cooling and heating system. The most dominant
technology used for solar cooling is absorption cooling system.
Since this system is clean and saves energy [3]-[9]. The main
factors, which are affecting the solar fraction besides the
collector surface area, are weather conditions (intensity of
incident solar radiation) and time of the day when the system is
operating [10]. The COP of the LiBr-H2O based solar
absorption refrigerating system increases in parallel with
increasing generator temperature up to its optimum level [11].
Moreover, the LiBr-H2O absorption cooling system provides
high COP with medium temperature of water (76-82 ℃) [12].
Flat plate solar collector assisted with absorption air
conditioning systems are suitable for comfort air-conditioning
system [13]. There are experimental studies focus on absorption
cooling system assisted with flat plate solar collector. These
studies are concerned with technical and economic feasibility of
17
 8th International Engineering Conference on advances in Computer and Civil Engineering Towards Engineering Innovations
and Sustainability, ( IEC-2022), Erbil-Iraq
two types of the solar collectors (flat plate collectors and
evacuated tube collectors) to drive single effect LiBr-H2O
absorption chillers. Simulation was done using theoretical and
experimental techniques. The annual total cost of the two
configurations shows that the solar cooling system combined
with flat collectors are the most economical solution [14]-[16].
Another study examined the effect of using fixed angle flat plate
collectors compared to monthly adjustable optimum angles and
percentage of lost energy provided by the solar collector [17].
Soussi M. et al [18] has theoretically studied the performance
analysis of a solar assisted cooling system using TRNSYS tool.
An auxiliary heater was integrated to increase the COP of the
system. As a result, the cooling power, the solar COP and the
chiller operation time has increased. J. A. Aguilar-Jiménez et al
[19] presented theoretical study to determine the best operating
condition for an exciting absorption cooling system used to
provide heating and cooling for installed in the school of
Puertecitos at Mexico using TRNSYS simulation software. The
results demonstrated the visibility of using solar water heating
system with thermal energy storage tank. The simulations
showed the configuration of the operation system during
different cooling load and determined the operating strategy of
such system. The purpose of this study is to minimize the
consumption of electricity for air-conditioning systems in Iraq.
During the last decade, the consumption of electricity has been
increased from a few hundred to thousands of Mega Watts. This
rapid increase in power demand and consumption has led to
shortage in electricity. By using solar energy as a renewable
energy source for the air conditioning and refrigeration system,
power consumption from the grid and the electricity demand
will be reduced. Also, using such system will determine the
strategy of managing energy specially during the peak seasons
of cooling and heating load demand. There will also be a
significant reduction in the greenhouse effect
II. SYSTEM MODELING
A conceptual and theoretical approach to the solar assisted
absorption cooling system has been outlined. TRNSYS has
become the most reliable modeling and simulation program for
solar applications used by researchers [17]. The TRNSYS 16
was modeled to evaluate the ability of providing necessary hot
water for generator of the absorption chiller using flat plate solar
collectors. In the next sections, we demonstrated a clear
explaining of the system model (theoretical study) through the
using of TRNSYS tool. A verification section has added for the
theoretical model to produce valid results through experimental
prototype rig. After the verification and validation of the results,
the authors showed the results of the study and discussed
accordingly. Finally, the conclusion section mentioned to the
main contribution of this study.
III. SIMULATION PROCEDURE
The solar system of heating water, which consists of flat
plate solar collectors, heat exchanger, storage tank, pump-1 and
pump-2, was operating as long as the collector outlet
temperature was higher than the temperature of water at the
bottom of storage tank and this is done by on/off controller. The
absorption system operating period was set from 8:00 AM to
3:00 PM. The operation procedure was:
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A. The hot water outlet from the collector passed through
the hot side heat exchanger within a closed loop, which heats the
water inside the heat exchanger so that the hot water will lose its
heat. This water was pumped back to the collector.
B. The cold water from the bottom of stratified storage
tank was pumped through the heat exchanger to heat it and then
circulating it back to the storage tank.
C. The hot water from the upper part of stratified storage
tank was then pumped to the absorption chiller generator. The
water of the storage tank flew first through an auxiliary heater to
increase the temperature of the hot water if it is less than the
required temperature of the auxiliary. The hot water from the
generator is circulated back to the lower point of stratified
storage tank.
D. Cool water from absorption chiller condenser was
pumped to the cooling tower while the cool water from the sump
of cooling tower is transferred back to the condenser of the
absorption chiller.
E. Chilled water from the absorption chiller evaporator
was pumped to the fan coil, which exchange heat with the
passing air. The chilled water is then circulated back to the
absorption chiller. The selected variables were displayed in a
separate plot window on the screen as soon as the system runs.
Data sent to the online plotter was automatically printed
according to a specific simulation time step (1 hour). The solar
collector optimum tilt angle was calculated using “ (1)” [20]:
𝐵𝑂𝑃𝑇 = |∅ − 𝛿| (1)
where declination (δ) used in the equation is for the average
day of the month [21] while latitude (∅ = 36.1911° ) is for
Erbil.
The solar collector efficiency was calculated by “ (2)” [22] :
𝑄𝑢
𝜂𝑐 = 𝐻 (2)
𝑇 𝐴𝑐
IV. VERIFICATION PROCESS
The TRNSYS simulation program was verified by
completely modeling the solar heating system installed in the
Research Center of Solar Energy at Erbil Polytechnic
University. The prototype model contains flat plate collectors,
storage tank, heat exchangers, fan coil and pumps. “Fig. 1”,
shows the schematic diagram of the solar heating system
components modeled by TRNSYS. An experimental rig has
been developed to demonstrate the performance of solar heating
system that was used for verification. “Fig. 2”, shows the
schematic diagram of the installed rig (solar heating system).
The rig consists of solar system of heating water connected to
the fan coils. The system consists of two rows of Wikora model
 8th International Engineering Conference on advances in Computer and Civil Engineering Towards Engineering Innovations
and Sustainability, ( IEC-2022), Erbil-Iraq

2020-Mi Wikosun flat plate solar collectors that are connected 70

in parallel. Each row consists of five paralleled collectors and
the area of each collector is 2 m2. A 1 m2 Wikora storage tank 60
model WBO 1005 DUO, three fan coil units of type EGAT, each

Temperature (°C)
50
with 7 kW capacity were used along with pumps and measuring 40
instruments such as energy meter, flow meter, pressure gage and
T_collector in EXP.
thermocouples. All data were connected to computer. A 30
computer control system (Desigo) is utilized to display T_collector in TRN.
20
temperatures, flow rates, thermal energies and pressures of the T_collector out Exp.
10
system at different points. T_collector out TRN.
0

Time (hrs)

Fig. 3. Collector field temperatures theoretically and experimentally

16

Thermal power gain (kW)

14
12
10
Q_coll.Exp
8 Q_coll.TRN.
Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of solar heating system using TRANSYS 16 6
4
2

Time (hrs)
Fig. 4. Collector heat rate gain theoretically and experimentally

The performance of the solar cooling system was simulated

using TRNSYS 16. The solar thermal system provides the
required heat to the generator of the absorption chiller.
Declination and tilt angles that are used in TRNSYS simulation
for summer months are based on average day of the month as
shown in table I [21]. The minimum tilt angle is for June and
maximum tilt angle is for October.
Figure 5 , shows the variation of the monthly average daily
total solar radiation on tilted surface during summer months for
Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of installed solar heating system at Research Center,
Erbil. The maximum average total solar radiation on tilted
Erbil Polytechnic University surface was done in July with 7.697 (kW.hr/m2), while the
minimum one occurs in October 4.786 (kW.hr/m2).
TABLE I. DECLINATION AND TILT ANGLE FOR SUMMER
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A TRNSYS simulation program has been implemented to Declination Tilt
Month’s
Month angle
verify the results of the solar heating system. This simulation average day (𝜹) (βopt)
was conducted under the meteorological conditions of Iraq. The
May 15 18.8 17.2°
specific location was Erbil with latitude ∅ = 36.1911° for
2nd of March 2016. The difference of collector field temperature Jun. 11 23.1 12.9°
and useful heat rate gain between the experimental and
TRNSYS simulation is shown in “Fig. 3”, and “Fig. 4”. The Jul. 17 21.2 14.8°
study showed good agreement between the results with
maximum average percentage error of 2%. The temperature was Aug. 16 13.5 22.5°
collected with 10 flat plate solar collectors with collector slope
60o to the horizontal and absorber area of 2 m2 per collector. Sep. 15 2.2 33.8°

Oct. 15 -9.6 45.6°

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 8th International Engineering Conference on advances in Computer and Civil Engineering Towards Engineering Innovations
and Sustainability, ( IEC-2022), Erbil-Iraq

8
1 AHT 80
monthly average daily total solar

7 0.9 AHT 85
6 0.8
radiation (kW.hr/m2)

AHT 90
0.7

Solar fraction
5
0.6
4
0.5
3 0.4
2 0.3
1 0.2
0.1
0
0
5 6 7 8 9 10
summer months 5 6 7 8 9 10
summer months

Fig. 5. Variations of total solar radiation during summer in Erbil

Fig. 7. Variation in monthly solar fraction with changing AHT

The performance of the solar collector system can be
estimated from the amount of useful heat gain by the collector
which will be supplied to the storage tank and then used by
absorption system through the generator. “Fig. 6”, shows the
variation of monthly average daily useful heat gain during
summer months with maximum useful heat gain in July, which
was about 52.95(kW.hr), while the minimum useful heat gain
in October was 37.35(kW.hr).
From “Fig. 5”, and “Fig. 6”, the average efficiency of
collector is about 0.34, which is acceptable compared to the
efficiency obtained by Yeung [22], which was 0.375.
Figure 8 , and “Fig. 9”, show the total energy supply from
solar collector to run absorption chiller during July and August,
respectively. We can notice from the figures that it is possible to
gain energy from solar collector up to 1467.82 kWh in July and
about 1458.79 kWh in August, so that by using this system we
will be possible to save about 2926.61 kWh of electricity from
the grid during these two months.
1600
collector supply energy(kwh)

1400
1200
60
1000
monthly average daily useful

50 800
heat gain (kW.hr)

40 600
400
30 200
20 0
1 5 10 15 20 25 31
10 Days

0 Fig. 8. Absorption chiller free total energy supply from solar collector July
5 6 7 8 9 10
summer months
1600
collector supply energy(kWh)

1400
Fig. 6. Monthly variation in useful heat gain for solar collectors
1200
The set point temperature of auxiliary heater plays a vital 1000
role in the performance of the system. “Fig. 7”, represents the 800
variation in monthly solar fraction for different values of 600
temperature settings in Erbil. It seems that in July, August and 400
September, solar fraction was 1 when auxiliary heater set point
200
temperature was 80 °C. This means that there was no need for
the auxiliary heater at this set point temperature during these 0
1 5 10 15 20 25 31
three months. The minimum solar fraction and the minimum
useful heat gain were both in October. Therefore, during this Days
month, more energy from auxiliary heater is needed.
Fig. 9. Absorption chiller free total energy supply from solar collector
August

Figure 10 , shows hourly variation of incident solar radiation

power and total thermal power gain for the day with minimum

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 8th International Engineering Conference on advances in Computer and Civil Engineering Towards Engineering Innovations
and Sustainability, ( IEC-2022), Erbil-Iraq

solar radiation in July. As shown in the figure, incident radiation 1.2 AHT 85
was received starting from 6:00AM and reached its maximum AHT 90
value at 3:00PM. Meanwhile, useful power gain started at 10:00 1
AM and ended at 5:00 PM, with a maximum value recorded at

Solar fraction
0.8
3:00 PM. This difference between incident radiation and useful
energy rate gain is due to the efficiency of solar flat plate 0.6
collector system.
0.4

incident solar radiation (kW) 0.2

16
thermal energy gain 0
14
Thermal power gain (KW)

9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00

12 AM AM AM PM PM PM PM
10 Time of day(hrs)
8
Fig. 12. Hourly variation in solar fraction at different AHT
6
4 VI. CONCLUSIONS
2 This study has focused on using sustainable renewable
0 energy resource to run the absorption cooling system. The study
is carried out during the summer in Erbil to show the impact of
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00

using solar energy resource to run the absorption chiller using

Time of day (hrs) simulation program (TRNSYS 16). After applying the system,
the results show that there is good harmony between
Fig. 10. Hourly variation of incident solar radiation and total thermal power experimental and theoretical predicted values during different
gain times of the day. The results obtained by TRNSYS 16 simulation
demonstrate that the solar absorption cooling system is able to
Figure 11, shows hourly variation of absorption chiller COP
run 4.7 kW absorption chiller from 8:00AM to 3:00PM. The
at three different auxiliary heater set point temperatures. The
average efficiency of flat plate solar collector system was about
COP of absorption chiller was decreased with increasing hot
0.34. During the hottest months of, July and August, the system
water inlet temperature because the generator power was
contributed to save energy bill up to 2926.61 kWh. The
increased.
absorption chiller was designed to work at generator hot water
Hourly variation in solar fraction during the day with inlet temperature range of 70 °C - 95 °C; the COP of the
minimum ambient temperature at three different auxiliary heater absorption chiller was increased with increasing hot water inlet
set point temperatures are shown in “Fig. 12”, solar fraction for temperature to a specific range and then began to decrease. This
80 °C was not presented because it was 1 all the time, whereas is because by increasing the auxiliary heater set point
auxiliary heater was not operating all the time. The minimum temperature, the hot water temperature difference will be
solar fraction 0.8232 and 0.38 at set point temperatures 85 °C increased and the generator energy will be also increased. As a
and 90 °C were recorded, respectively. result, the COP of the absorption chiller will be decreased. When
the set point temperature of generator inlet hot water was 80 °C
during July and August, the solar fraction was one during the
AHT 80 tests, as the auxiliary heater was not operating because the solar
0.8 AHT 85 collector system was able to produce this temperature.
AHT 90
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and Sustainability, ( IEC-2022), Erbil-Iraq

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Nomenclature
Amb Ambient AC Collector area (m2)
Coll. Collector HT Incident radiation (kJ/m2.hr)
COP Coefficient of Performance β Collector slope (⁰)
EXP Experimental ηC Collector efficiency
GSC Solar Constant (W/m2) δ Declination (⁰)
Opt Optimum angle ϕ Latitude (⁰)
Qu Collector useful energy gain (kW) ϴ Incident angle (⁰)
T Temperature (℃)
TRNSYS Transient system simulation tool
TRN Transient system simulation tool

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