IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v340y2025ics0360544225048583.html

Thermal performance analysis of an integrated solar-air composite heat pump system employing micro heat pipe array heat exchanger

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Gang
  • Wang, Pan
  • Quan, Zhenhua
  • Yu, Wan
  • Deng, Yuechao
  • Hu, Tao
  • Su, Huashan
  • Yang, Yongqing

Abstract

This study develops a novel micro heat pipe array (MHPA) heat exchanger integrated with porous flat aluminum channels and serrated fins, applied in a solar-air composite heat source heat pump system. Simulation analyses evaluate its performance under various operating modes: photovoltaic/thermal-water source (PV/T-WSHP), combined PV/T-water and air source (PV/T-W&ASHP), and air source (ASHP) modes. Results indicate that the MHPA heat exchanger dynamically redistributes thermal load, with water-side heat transfer decreasing from 1.4 kW to 1.2 kW as ambient temperature rose from 5 °C to 30 °C, while air-side heat transfer increased from 0.1 kW to 0.3 kW. Optimal system performance was achieved at an air velocity of 1.8 m/s, with COP reaching 2.24. The system demonstrated strong recovery capability, outperforming conventional finned-tube systems by up to 16 %. Increasing PV/T collector area to 10.2 m2 improved COP by 35.4 %, and serrated fins enhanced thermal absorption by 41 %, raising system COP by 22 %. Seasonal performance evaluation in Yichang climate yielded a high SPF of 2.41. The MHPA-based system offers efficient, stable dual-source utilization, supporting building energy savings and carbon reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Gang & Wang, Pan & Quan, Zhenhua & Yu, Wan & Deng, Yuechao & Hu, Tao & Su, Huashan & Yang, Yongqing, 2025. "Thermal performance analysis of an integrated solar-air composite heat pump system employing micro heat pipe array heat exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:340:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225048583
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139216
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225048583
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.139216?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. abbas, Sajid & Yuan, Yanping & Hassan, Atazaz & Zhou, Jinzhi & Zeng, Chao & Yu, Min & Emmanuel, Bisengimana, 2022. "Experimental and numerical investigation on a solar direct-expansion heat pump system employing PV/T & solar thermal collector as evaporator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    2. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Zhang, Yuzhe & Cai, Jingyong & Li, Zhaomeng, 2022. "Comparative study on dual-source direct-expansion heat pumps based on different composite concentrating photovoltaic/fin evaporators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    3. Chinnasamy, Subramaniyan & Arunachalam, Amarkarthik, 2023. "Experimental investigation on direct expansion solar-air source heat pump for water heating application," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 222-233.
    4. Li, Rui & Li, Jinping & Zhu, Junjie & Liu, Xiaomin & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2023. "A numerical and experimental study on a novel micro heat pipe PV/T system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    5. Cao, Jingyu & Zheng, Ling & Peng, Jinqing & Wang, Wenjie & Leung, Michael K.H. & Zheng, Zhanying & Hu, Mingke & Wang, Qiliang & Cai, Jingyong & Pei, Gang & Ji, Jie, 2023. "Advances in coupled use of renewable energy sources for performance enhancement of vapour compression heat pump: A systematic review of applications to buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    6. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Cai, Jingyong & Zhao, Bin & Li, Zhaomeng, 2021. "Investigation on a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump with a novel hybrid compound parabolic concentrator/photovoltaic/fin evaporator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    7. Cai, Jingyong & Li, Zhouhang & Ji, Jie & Zhou, Fan, 2019. "Performance analysis of a novel air source hybrid solar assisted heat pump," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1133-1145.
    8. Shao, Nina & Ma, Liangdong & Zhang, Jili, 2020. "Experimental investigation on the performance of direct-expansion roof-PV/T heat pump system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    9. Ekoue, Maurice K. & Woerman, Matt & Clastres, Cédric, 2025. "Intermittency and uncertainty in wind and solar energy: Impacts on the French electricity market," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    10. Danandeh, M.A. & Mousavi G., S.M., 2018. "Solar irradiance estimation models and optimum tilt angle approaches: A comparative study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 319-330.
    11. Han, Changho & Kim, Jinyoung & Cho, Wonhee & Shin, Hyun Ho & Lee, Hoseong & Kim, Yongchan, 2024. "Annual performance analysis of solar-assisted raw-water source heat pumps at low water temperatures," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    12. Liu, Yin & Ma, Jing & Zhou, Guanghui & Zhang, Chao & Wan, Wenlei, 2016. "Performance of a solar air composite heat source heat pump system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P3), pages 1053-1058.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Zhang, Yuzhe & Cai, Jingyong & Li, Zhaomeng, 2022. "Comparative study on dual-source direct-expansion heat pumps based on different composite concentrating photovoltaic/fin evaporators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    2. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Zhang, Yuzhe & Cai, Jingyong & Li, Zhaomeng, 2022. "Research on the multifunction concentrated solar-air heat pump system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 679-694.
    3. Cao, Jingyu & Zheng, Ling & Peng, Jinqing & Wang, Wenjie & Leung, Michael K.H. & Zheng, Zhanying & Hu, Mingke & Wang, Qiliang & Cai, Jingyong & Pei, Gang & Ji, Jie, 2023. "Advances in coupled use of renewable energy sources for performance enhancement of vapour compression heat pump: A systematic review of applications to buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    4. Song, Zhiying & Zhang, Yuzhe & Ji, Jie & He, Wei & Hu, Zhongting & Xuan, Qingdong, 2024. "Yearly photoelectric/thermal and economic performance comparison between CPV and FPV dual-source heat pump systems in different regions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    5. Choi, Hwi-Ung & Choi, Kwang-Hwan, 2023. "Numerical study on the performance of a solar-assisted heat pump coupled with a photovoltaic-thermal air heater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    6. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Zhang, Yuzhe & Cai, Jingyong, 2023. "Performance improvement and comparison analysis of the hybrid concentrated dual-source heat pump system regarding proper throttling process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 24-38.
    7. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Cai, Jingyong & Zhao, Bin & Li, Zhaomeng, 2021. "Investigation on a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump with a novel hybrid compound parabolic concentrator/photovoltaic/fin evaporator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    8. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Zhang, Yuzhe & Cai, Jingyong & Li, Zhaomeng & Li, Yunhai, 2023. "Mathematical and experimental investigation about the dual-source heat pump integrating low concentrated photovoltaic and finned-tube exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    9. Yang, Lidong & Gao, Qiang & Xu, Qiang & Yang, Liwei & Xu, Rongji & Chen, Hongbing & Wang, Huasheng, 2024. "Study on performance of direct-expansion heat pump water heater integrated uninsulated micro-channel PV/T solar collector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    10. Conte, Riccardo & Zanetti, Emanuele & Tancon, Marco & Azzolin, Marco & Girotto, Sergio & Del Col, Davide, 2024. "The advantage of running a direct expansion CO2 heat pump with solar-and-air simultaneous heat sources: experimental and numerical investigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 369(C).
    11. Aktekeli, Burak & Aktaş, Mustafa & Koşan, Meltem & Arslan, Erhan & Şevik, Seyfi, 2025. "Experimental study of a novel design bi-fluid based photovoltaic thermal (PVT)-assisted heat pump dryer," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    12. Jiang, Yan & Zhang, Huan & Wang, Yeming & Wang, Yaran & Liu, Minzhang & You, Shijun & Wu, Zhangxiang & Fan, Man & Wei, Shen, 2022. "Research on the operation strategies of the solar assisted heat pump with triangular solar air collector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    13. Badiei, A. & Golizadeh Akhlaghi, Y. & Zhao, X. & Shittu, S. & Xiao, X. & Li, J. & Fan, Y. & Li, G., 2020. "A chronological review of advances in solar assisted heat pump technology in 21st century," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    14. Abbas, Sajid & Hassan, Atazaz & Emmanuel, Bisengimana & Yuan, Yanping & Zhou, Jinzhi & Yousuf, Saima, 2025. "Development and performance investigation of an indirect expansion solar heat pump integrated with a high-concentration conical cavity receiver for heating applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    15. Guo, Xiaochao & Zhang, Jili & Wang, Zicheng, 2024. "Feasibility and performance study on the novel photovoltaic thermal heat pipe/heat pump composite cycle trigeneration system in summer," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    16. Li, Jinping & Sun, Xiaohua & Zhu, Junjie & Karkon, Ehsan Gholamian & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2024. "Performance comparison of air source heat pump coupling with solar evacuated tube water heater and that with micro heat pipe PV/T," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    17. Xin Meng & Xin Zhou & Zhenyu Li, 2024. "Review of the Coupled System of Solar and Air Source Heat Pump," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-26, December.
    18. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Li, Zhaomeng, 2022. "Performance of a heat pump system in combination with thermoelectric generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PA).
    19. Li, Guanru & Hua, Qingsong & Sun, Li & Khosravi, Ali & Jose Garcia Pabon, Juan, 2023. "Thermodynamic modeling and optimization of hybrid linear concentrating photovoltaic and mechanically pumped two-phase loop system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    20. Li, Sheng & Cui, Liping & Zhang, Xuejun & Dai, Zhengshu & Zhang, Changxing & Gao, Jinshuang & Zhao, Yazhou, 2025. "Simulation and experimental study on the performance of solar phase change slurry direct evaporation photovoltaic/thermal heat pump," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:340:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225048583. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.