Enviro-exergo-economic analysis of solar assisted hybrid cooling systems with low-cost materials based on emergy concept

The substitution of aluminum heat exchangers for copper ones is expected to enhance the competitiveness of solar-assisted hybrid cooling systems. However, the potential of such replacement has not been assessed exactly, which is mainly attributed to the lack of a comprehensive analysis from thermodynamic, economic, and environmental viewpoints. In this regard, an emergy-based enviro-exergo-economic model is proposed to evaluate the potential of aluminum heat exchangers at first. Subsequently, an optimization of key component size is performed. Finally, the effect of aluminum heat exchanger characteristics on the substitution feasibility and system optimization is discussed in detail. The results show that the optimal system total emergy rate of Al-20 scheme is 6.2% lower than that of the Cu-20 scheme. Additionally, both the decrease in the price ratio and the increase in the lifetime are favorable for the application of aluminum heat exchangers. When the price ratio of aluminum heat exchangers to copper ones drops from 0.85 to 0.60, the lower limit of acceptable lifetime for aluminum heat exchangers decreases from 9.5 years to 7.7 years. The work is favorable to promote the cost down of solar-assisted hybrid cooling systems by low-cost materials.