IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i5p2272-d1606058.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Performance Evaluation of an Innovative Photovoltaic–Thermal Flash-Tank Vapor Injection Heat Pump for Simultaneous Heating and Power Generation

Author

Listed:
  • Guangjian Li

    (School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
    China Pingmei Shenma Holding Group Co., Ltd., Xuchang 461002, China)

  • Zhen Hou

    (School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

  • Hongkai Wang

    (School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

  • Jiaheng Chen

    (School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

Abstract

Amid escalating global energy demand and heightened environmental concern, this study presents an innovative photovoltaic–thermal flash-tank vapor injection heat pump (PFVHP). This system integrates a photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) module into a conventional flash-tank vapor injection heat pump (FVHP) to realize simultaneous heating and power generation. Two distinct operation modes are designed for the PFVHP: TS-mode (two-source mode) for most solar radiation conditions and AS-mode (air-source mode) for low- or no-solar-radiation conditions. The energy, exergy, economic, and operational emission performance of the PFVHP are theoretically analyzed and compared with those of the FVHP. The findings reveal that the PFVHP can achieve a maximum cycle and system coefficient of performance (COP) at the respective optimal intermediate pressures. Exergy analysis indicates that enhancing solar radiation helps the PFVHP produce more heat exergy and electricity, but reduces the system exergy efficiency. As the evaporating temperature ranges from −20 °C to 5 °C, the cycle COP and system COP of the PFVHP are, respectively, 8.5% to 6.3% and 50.0% to 35.2% higher than the COP of the FVHP. The exergy flow comparison demonstrates that the PFVHP significantly enhances the system performance by reducing the overall exergy loss in devices excluding a PVT module, benefiting from the absorption of solar exergy by the PVT module. Economic and operational emission analyses indicate that the PFVHP offers a payback period of 9.38 years and substantially reduces the air pollution emissions compared to the FVHP.

Suggested Citation

  • Guangjian Li & Zhen Hou & Hongkai Wang & Jiaheng Chen, 2025. "Performance Evaluation of an Innovative Photovoltaic–Thermal Flash-Tank Vapor Injection Heat Pump for Simultaneous Heating and Power Generation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2272-:d:1606058
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/5/2272/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/5/2272/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Minghui Ma & Oguzhan Pektezel & Vincenzo Ballerini & Paolo Valdiserri & Eugenia Rossi di Schio, 2024. "Performance Predictions of Solar-Assisted Heat Pumps: Methodological Approach and Comparison Between Various Artificial Intelligence Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Andre’ Mizzi & Charles Yousif, 2024. "Optimizing Energy Yield and Economic Benefit of Renewable Energy Technologies for Urban Mediterranean Dwellings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-28, October.
    3. Chow, T.T. & Pei, G. & Fong, K.F. & Lin, Z. & Chan, A.L.S. & He, M., 2010. "Modeling and application of direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump for water heating in subtropical Hong Kong," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 643-649, February.
    4. Obalanlege, Mustapha A. & Xu, Jingyuan & Markides, Christos N. & Mahmoudi, Yasser, 2022. "Techno-economic analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar-assisted heat pump system for domestic hot water and power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 720-736.
    5. Ali Khalid Shaker Al-Sayyab & Joaquín Navarro-Esbrí & Victor Manuel Soto-Francés & Adrián Mota-Babiloni, 2021. "Conventional and Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis of a Compound Ejector-Heat Pump for Simultaneous Cooling and Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-27, June.
    6. Yao, Jian & Zheng, Sihang & Chen, Daochuan & Dai, Yanjun & Huang, Mingjun, 2021. "Performance improvement of vapor-injection heat pump system by employing PVT collector/evaporator for residential heating in cold climate region," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    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. 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).
    2. 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.
    3. Zhang, Shaoliang & Liu, Shuli & Shen, Yongliang & Shukla, Ashish & Mazhar, Abdur Rehman & Chen, Tingsen, 2024. "Critical review of solar-assisted air source heat pump in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    4. 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).
    5. Ruixiaoxiao Zhang & Geoffrey QP Shen & Meng Ni & Johnny Wong, 2020. "The relationship between energy consumption and gross domestic product in Hong Kong (1992–2015): Evidence from sectoral analysis and implications on future energy policy," Energy & Environment, , vol. 31(2), pages 215-236, March.
    6. Lv, Xiaolong & Yan, Gang & Yu, Jianlin, 2015. "Solar-assisted auto-cascade heat pump cycle with zeotropic mixture R32/R290 for small water heaters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 167-172.
    7. Yu, Qinghua & Chen, Xi & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Research progress on utilization of phase change materials in photovoltaic/thermal systems: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    8. Jorge E. De León-Ruiz & Ignacio Carvajal-Mariscal, 2018. "Mathematical Thermal Modelling of a Direct-Expansion Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Using Multi-Objective Optimization Based on the Energy Demand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-27, July.
    9. Kong, Xiangqiang & Jiang, Kailin & Dong, Shandong & Li, Ying & Li, Jianbo, 2018. "Control strategy and experimental analysis of a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump water heater with R134a," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 17-24.
    10. Prasanna, U.R. & Umanand, L., 2011. "Modeling and design of a solar thermal system for hybrid cooking application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1740-1755, May.
    11. Liu, Ziyang & He, Mingfei & Tang, Xiaoping & Yuan, Guofeng & Yang, Bin & Yu, Xiaohui & Wang, Zhifeng, 2024. "Capacity optimisation and multi-dimensional analysis of air-source heat pump heating system: A case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    12. Chen, Zhidong & Su, Chao & Wu, Zexuan & Wang, Weijia & Chen, Lei & Yang, Lijun & Kong, Yanqiang & Du, Xiaoze, 2023. "Operation strategy and performance analyses of a distributed energy system incorporating concentrating PV/T and air source heat pump for heating supply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    13. Mohamed, Elamin & Riffat, Saffa & Omer, Siddig & Zeinelabdein, Rami, 2019. "A comprehensive investigation of using mutual air and water heating in multi-functional DX-SAMHP for moderate cold climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 582-600.
    14. Song, Zhiying & Ji, Jie & Zhang, Yuzhe & Li, Yunhai & Li, Jing & Zhao, Xudong, 2023. "Annual analysis of the photovoltaic direct-expansion heat pump assisted by double condensing equipment for secondary power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 169-183.
    15. 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).
    16. Guo, J.J. & Wu, J.Y. & Wang, R.Z. & Li, S., 2011. "Experimental research and operation optimization of an air-source heat pump water heater," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 4128-4138.
    17. Cai, Jingyong & Zhang, Feng & Ji, Jie, 2020. "Comparative analysis of solar-air dual source heat pump system with different heat source configurations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 191-203.
    18. Chen, J.F. & Zhang, L. & Dai, Y.J., 2018. "Performance analysis and multi-objective optimization of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal collector for domestic hot water application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 500-516.
    19. Mi, Peiyuan & Zhang, Jili & Han, Youhua, 2024. "Operation study of the photovoltaic thermal heat pump integrated energy system under trigeneration condition and harsh conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    20. Calise, Francesco & Dentice d'Accadia, Massimo & Figaj, Rafal Damian & Vanoli, Laura, 2016. "A novel solar-assisted heat pump driven by photovoltaic/thermal collectors: Dynamic simulation and thermoeconomic optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 346-366.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2272-:d:1606058. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.