The optimization and energy efficiency analysis of a multi-

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tank solar-assisted air source heat pump water heating
system

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Yicheng Ma, Jianfei Xi, Jie Cai, Zhongzhu Gu
School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing
210023, China

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Abstract: This article undertakes an optimization study of a solar-assisted air source heat pump
water heating system by harnessing the advantages inherent in a multiple water tank arrangement.

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The Hooke-Jeeves algorithm was adopted to optimize the system parameters. The optimization
variables encompass pivotal parameters such as water tank volume, collector area, dip angle,
azimuth angle and heat pump power, while the objective function is the annual value of life cycle
cost. By research and analysis of the monthly power consumption, electricity cost, solar fraction,
average coefficient of performance (COP) and annual value of carbon emissions of the single-tank,
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dual-tank, and triple-tank system, it is discovered that the triple-tank system exhibits superior
performance in overall aspects. Compared to the pre-optimized version, it achieves an annual energy
consumption reduction of approximately 3.9%, leading to a 22.5% decrease in electricity expenses.
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Furthermore, it brings a 5.2% reduction in the annual lifecycle cost and a 6.3% decrease in carbon
emissions, while simultaneously improving exergy efficiency by 4.8%.
Keywords: water heating system, solar energy, air source heat pump, life cycle cost, multiple water
tanks, design optimization
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1. Introduction
The global community has become acutely aware of the pressing climate and energy crises.
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The exorbitant costs associated with fossil fuels have given rise to severe environmental issues and
the phenomenon of climate change [1]. By the year 2035, China is projected to account for over
25% of the world's energy consumption [2,3]. Demonstrating its commitment to address these
challenges, China has pledged to reach its carbon peak by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by
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2060 [4].
The "Research Report on Building Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions in China
(2021)," published by China Association of Building Energy Efficiency, highlights that the Chinese
construction industry contributed approximately 4.997 billion tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2)
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emissions in 2019, constituting 50.6% of the nation's total carbon emissions. Notably, residential
buildings were responsible for approximately 15% to 20% of energy consumption, with a significant
portion attributed to domestic hot water (DHW) usage. Additionally, with the expansion of higher
education institutions, investment in student dormitory construction has surged. Consequently, the
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energy consumption for DHW in student dormitories now constitutes a significant portion of the

 Corresponding author. E-mail address: jianfeixi@njnu.edu.cn.

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 overall building energy consumption. The prevalent water heating apparatus employed in these
settings is the standard electric storage tank water heater (ESTWH), which excessively consumes

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electricity [5]. This heightened electricity demand exacerbates energy shortages and leads to
increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby exerting adverse effects on the environment
[6,7].
Solar energy has garnered considerable attention due to its cleanliness, safety, and accessibility

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[8-12]. Thus far, solar water heating technology has found wide-ranging applications. Nonetheless,
certain challenges hinder the utilization of solar energy. Firstly, despite the substantial amount of
solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, the energy density remains relatively low. For instance,
near the Tropic of Cancer, the average solar energy received perpendicularly from sunlight is a mere
200 W/m2. Secondly, the intensity of solar radiation is susceptible to weather conditions and

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diminishes to almost zero on rainy days, cloudy days, and during the night. Consequently, in order
to ensure a stable energy supply, solar energy necessitates supplementation from auxiliary heat

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sources such as electricity, heat pumps (HP), and natural gas [13]. An air source heat pump (ASHP),
capable of converting low-grade heat from the air into high-grade heat sources, represents a reliable
and cost-effective solution to address the intermittent nature of solar energy [14]. Thus, the
integration of the solar water heating system with ASHP, known as the solar-assisted air source heat
pump (SAASHP) system, emerges as a more dependable approach for low carbon hot water supply.
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In the past two decades, numerous scholars have undertaken extensive research on SAASHP
systems, focusing on system configuration and performance augmentation. Liang et al. [15]
introduced a SAASHP system featuring flexible operational modes. The findings revealed an
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enhanced coefficient of performance (COP) as solar radiation density and solar collector (SC) area
increased. Wei et al. [16] investigated the performance of a SAASHP system with energy storage
in Beijing, China, demonstrating that the economic viability of SAASHP systems surpasses that of
ASHP systems only when the price of SC remains below 620 CNY/m2. Consequently, they
recommended that the government provide subsidies to promote the application of solar systems.
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Li et al. [17] proposed and implemented a time-controlled SAASHP system to heat a rural office
building in Xinjiang. This innovative SAASHP system effectively reduces heating costs and CO2
emissions while ensuring optimal comfort within the premises. In a similar vein, Liu et al. [18]
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developed a regression model, verified using measured data, to predict the performance and
optimize the operational strategy of SAASHP water heaters in regions of China with limited solar
resources. Furthermore, Li et al. [19] employed FORTRAN to establish a mathematical model
investigating the COP of SAASHP water heating systems. The results underscored the significant
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influence of circulation flow rate, SC area, and initial water temperature of the water tank on the
system's COP.
Presently, the predominant focus of research endeavors in this domain revolves around
optimizing single-tank systems. Nevertheless, these systems exhibit several inherent drawbacks
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necessitating resolution. While a single tank of water suffices as an energy storage device for solar
DHW systems and other applications requiring modest volumes, employing a single tank poses
challenges for systems necessitating larger capacities, such as DHW in student dormitories. Notably,
the utilization of large tanks entails considerable engineering complexity, difficulties in retrofit
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applications, and often necessitates specialized techniques to facilitate stratification [20]. The
concept of factory-assembled tanks and multi-tank arrangements was first proposed by Swet and
Armstrong et al. [21]. Hollands and Lightstone also reviewed tank performance, concentrating on

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 the loss of thermal stratification and its contributing factors [22]. Over time, researchers have
extensively observed the issue of cold and hot water intermixing within large single-tank systems,

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significantly impinging on system efficiency. The earliest approach to mitigate this predicament
involved the implementation of thermal stratification techniques. However, these stratification
maintenance devices tend to augment system complexity and necessitate ongoing maintenance. To
address these challenges, a solution is devised in the form of an easily installable large-volume

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storage system, wherein several smaller plastic tanks are interconnected in series to create a singular,
expansive storage capacity. This innovative approach demonstrated practical advantages within
solar heating systems. Furthermore, Dickinson et al. [23] conducted simulations and research on
triple-tank systems employing diverse configurations under identical conditions, revealing that the
multi-tank system, particularly under parallel arrangement, exhibited a higher solar fraction.

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On the whole, the current research on multi-tank solar-assisted air source water heating systems
is not sufficiently comprehensive. There is a lack of in-depth investigation into triple-tank systems

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and inadequate research on the optimization of multiple system parameters. In light of this, this
study utilizes the TRNSYS software to study the DHW system within university dormitories. It
introduces a thermal storage tank that serves as a reservoir for storing hot water heated using off-
peak electricity during the nighttime, as well as a buffer tank for the heat pump unit. The study
establishes models for dual-tank and triple-tank SAASHP water heating systems, taking into
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consideration the collective water usage in student dormitories and optimizing relevant variables
accordingly. This study aims to explore the system's economic viability and energy-saving
performance from various perspectives. Through simulation analysis, theoretical guidance is
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provided for the design and optimization of multi-tank solar-assisted air source heat pump water
heating systems.

2. Methodology and methods

2.1 Case overview
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This case study centers around a student dormitory edifice located in Zhenjiang, China. The
edifice encompasses five floors, with 40 dormitory chambers per floor, accommodating a quartet of
students in each chamber, and each chamber is outfitted with an autonomous lavatory. The rooftop
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of the edifice presents an opportune location for the installation of solar collectors, as it is devoid of
towering structures or topographical hindrances, thereby fostering propitious circumstances for the
harnessing of solar energy. The student dormitory structure accommodates a total of 800 students.
The study received support from the university's domestic hot water (DHW) supply company,
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which possesses an extensive online data monitoring and management system. This system
maintains long-standing records of student water consumption data. The simulation and
optimization of this system are predicated upon authentic data. The study adheres to the prevailing
management strategy, stipulating that students are granted access to hot water commencing from
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6:00 in the morning until the stroke of midnight. The DHW utilization patterns exhibited by the
student populace demonstrate a relatively consistent nature, with a notable concentration occurring
between the hours of 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. The distribution of hot water usage throughout the
day, as measured during the study, is illustrated in Figure 1.
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 ed
0.3

Proportion of DHW use per hour

0.2

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0.1

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0.0

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0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Time/hr
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Fig.1 Typical daily hourly DHW usage distribution
The DHW supply equipment designated for the student dormitories is situated in close
proximity to the building and comprises a water tank, air source heat pump units, and circulating
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pump units. The installation of solar flat-plate collectors is executed on the rooftop. The
preoptimized system parameters were established taking into consideration the original equipment
parameters of the university's DHW station (Table 1).

Table 1 Main parameters of the preoptimized water heating system

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Device name Parameter of devices

Rated heat production: 577kW

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ASHP Rated heating power: 141kW

Heating COP: 4.08

Tank Volume: 40m3

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Solar collector Area: 300m2

The study employs the TRNSYS platform, a software renowned for its dynamic simulation
and modeling capabilities [24]. Illustrated in Fig. 2, this research involves modeling and
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optimization based on the conventional single-tank SAASHP water heating system (Fig. 2a). Two
novel systems are designed: the dual-tank system (Fig. 2b), integrating a night storage tank, and the
triple-tank system (Fig. 2c), encompassing both a night storage tank and a buffer tank. More detailed
description of the three systems is provided in section 2.4 and section 3.
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 ed
User

User
Air source heat pump
Storage tank

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(a) Solar
User Storage tank collector
Solar
collector
User

Controller Controller
Buffer tank

Storage tank User

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User
Air source heat pump
Air source heat pump
Night storage tank

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(c)
Night storage tank
(b)

Fig.2 Three schematic diagrams of the simulation systems

2.2 Design criteria for equipment parameters
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The study encompasses various design parameters, such as the daily heat demand for the hot
water system, the collector area, the dip angle, the azimuth angle of the solar collector, the rated
heating capacity and heating power of the air source heat pump unit, the airflow rate, and the
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respective volumes of the water tanks within the system.
In accordance with the "Standard for Water-saving Design of Civil Buildings (GB 50555-
2010)" [25], the average daily domestic hot water (DHW) consumption per individual is estimated
at 50 liters. Consequently, the aggregate daily DHW requirement for the entire dormitory building
amounts to 40,000 liters.
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As per the guidelines outlined in the "Code for Design of Plumbing and Drainage in Buildings
(GB 50015-2019)" [26], the formula employed to ascertain the daily design hourly heat
consumption of the water heating system in student dormitories is as follows:
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mqr C  t r  t1   r
Qh  K hCγ (1)
T
Where Qh represents the daily design hourly heat consumption, m denotes the number of water
users, qr signifies the hot water usage quota, tr corresponds to the design temperature for hot water
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(tr = 45 ℃), C symbolizes the specific heat capacity of water (C = 4.187 kJ/(kg·℃)), t1 denotes the
local cold water temperature, ρr represents the density of hot water, T stands for the design duration
of daily hot water usage, Cγ denotes the heat loss coefficient of the water heating system (Cγ = 1.10-
1.15), and Kh represents the hourly variation coefficient, with recommended standard values ranging
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from 70 to 100.
As outlined in the "Technical Standard for Solar Water Heating Systems in Civil Buildings
(GB 50364-2018)" [27], the calculation for the collector area of the solar water heating system can
be performed using the following formula:
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Q  C  t end  t 0  f (2)
Ac  w w
J T cd 1   1 
Where Ac represents the collector area of the solar water heating system, Qw denotes the daily

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 average hot water demand, ρw signifies the density of water, tend corresponds to the design
temperature of domestic hot water (DHW) in the storage tank, t0 represents the initial design

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temperature of cold water in the storage tank, JT denotes the annual average daily solar irradiation
on the collector surface at the local site, ν symbolizes the solar fraction, ηcd signifies the annual
average collector efficiency based on the total area, and η1 represents the heat loss rate of the water
tank and piping system in the solar water heating system, which typically ranges from 0.2 to 0.3

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based on experience.
According to the research cited [28], it is advised that the dip angle of the solar collector should
fall within the recommended range of the local latitude plus or minus 10 degrees.
The design of the buffer tank volume, denoted as M, is as follows [29]:

M  M1  M 2

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Qt (3)
M1 
C  tmax

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M 2  0.15  L

Where M1 represents the minimum water capacity of the system, M2 denotes the managed water
capacity of the system, Q signifies the heat output of the air source heat pump, t represents the
defrosting time of the air source heat pump unit, and Δtmax signifies the maximum allowable
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decrease in the water temperature supplied by the air source heat pump unit, L represents the volume
of storage tank.
2.3 Optimization method
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2.3.1 Optimization algorithm
In this study, the Hooke-Jeeves method is used to optimize the simulation results. The Hooke-
Jeeves algorithm stands as a distinguished nonlinear optimization technique often employed for
resolving unconstrained optimization problems. Through iterative exploration and refinement of the
objective function, it presents itself as a convenient and efficacious approach [30]. Notably, the
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Hooke-Jeeves method showcases swift convergence and formidable adaptability, particularly when
contending with a restricted number of optimization variables [31]. This study employs the
TRNOPT module in TRNSYS to execute the optimization calculations using the GENOPT
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program.2.3.2 Objective function

In this study, the objective function selected for comparison is lifecycle annual cost. The
parameter serves to evaluate the disparities in economic feasibility among the diverse systems.
Furthermore, crucial indicators such as annual carbon emission, monthly electricity consumption,
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solar fraction, and average system COP are juxtaposed across the systems.
The lifecycle annual cost is computed using the annualized cost method. This approach
dynamically distributes the initial investment of the system across its lifespan, employing capital
recovery formulas to determine the annual cost throughout the operational period. By converting all
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costs into a standardized present value, this method considers various factors that impact the
economic feasibility of the system over its entire lifecycle [32]. The calculation formula is as follows:

i 1 i 
n

Z  L0  Cm  C0 (4)
1 i
n
1
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Where Z represents the annualized cost in CNY per year, i denotes the loan interest rate, which
is currently 5.5% in the specific research region (Zhenjiang China), n signifies the system's lifespan

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 in years, set as 20 years in this study, L0 represents the system's initial investment cost in CNY,
determined according to the local market price of the equipment, Cm denotes annual maintenance

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cost of equipment in CNY, set at 15,000 CNY, and C0 denotes annual operating cost of the system
in CNY.
2.3.3 Optimization variables
Drawing upon the investigations conducted by Wang et al. [33], this study identifies several

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pivotal parameters as optimization variables for systematic design. These parameters encompass the
solar collector area, collector dip angle, collector azimuth angle, tank volumes (comprising the solar
collector storage tank, night storage tank, and buffer tank), as well as the heating capacity of the air
source heat pump.
The optimization model establishes the solar collector area range in accordance with the

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specifications elucidated in the "Technical Standard for Solar Water Heating Systems in Civil
Buildings (GB 50364-2018)." The heating capacity of the air source heat pump and the range of

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tank volumes are determined in alignment with the "Design Standard for Building Water Supply
and Drainage (GB 50015-2019)." The dip angle adheres to within ±10° of the local latitude, while
the azimuth angle is oriented towards true south within a range of ±10°.
2.3.4 Other parameters er
The solar fraction, represented as f, provides an alternative perspective on the extent of
auxiliary heating in the system. It is defined as the ratio of the actual heat obtained from solar
radiation to the total heat consumption in the water heating system [34]. The calculation formula is
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as follows:
Q  Qaux (5)
f  h
Qh
Where Qh represents the hot water load and Qaux denotes the auxiliary heating.
The average coefficient of performance (COP) of the system, denoted as COPT1-T2, is defined
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as the ratio of the heat output to the energy input when the water temperature increases from T1 to
T2:
QT1 -T2 Cm T1  T2  (6)
COPT1 -T2  
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t
WT1 -T2
0
Pdt

Where WT1-T2 represents the power consumption of the air source heat pump unit when the
system water temperature increases from T1 to T2, and m denotes the mass of cold water in the water
tank.
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At the same time, this study pays attention to the annual carbon emissions of the system.
According to the pertinent regulations [35], the carbon emission factor for electricity consumption
attributed to buildings in the East China region is 0.7035 kgCO2/kWh [36]. From a carbon auditing
standpoint, the complete lifecycle of the equipment, encompassing production, transportation, use,
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and dismantling, contributes to carbon emissions. However, emissions stemming from production,
transportation, and dismantling constitute a relatively small portion of the overall process,
approximately 6.5% to 10%, 0.6%, and 0.5%, respectively. For the sake of convenience, this paper
focuses solely on carbon emissions during the operational phase.
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2.3.5 Exergy analysis

COP analysis may not directly elucidate the transformations and diminutions in the "quality"
of energy encompassed within the system. To unravel the fundamental nature of energy losses,

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 exergy analysis methods have come to the forefront. Within solar-assisted heat pump systems, the
input exergy of the system comprises the exergy acquired from the solar collector (referred to as

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liberated exergy) and the exergy introduced by conventional energy sources (such as electricity)
[37]. Exergy analysis adheres to akin principles across diverse solar-assisted heat pump systems. It
is imperative to initially contemplate the exergy balance equation of a solar-assisted heat pump
system:

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 X d e st   X in   X o u t (7)

Where Xin represents the exergy input at the inlet, Xout signifies the exergy output at the outlet,
and Xdest denotes the exergy annihilated as a consequence of irreversibility.
Within the simulated solar-assisted air source heat pump water heating system, the input exergy

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pertains to the solar radiation energy that permeates the system and the electrical exergy supplied
by the air source heat pump. Thus, the inlet exergy of the water heating system constitutes the

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amalgamation of exergy derived from solar radiation and electrical exergy:

X in  X so lar  X ele (8)

Where Xsolar represents the exergy stemming from radiation, and Xele signifies the electrical
exergy.
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In order to compute the radiation exergy, multiple relationships have been proposed. Daniele
[38] derived a formula for calculating the exergy of blackbody radiation:
 4  T  1  T 4 
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X solar  IAc 1   a    a   (9)
 3  Tsun  3  Tsun  

Where Ta represents the ambient temperature in Kelvin, and Tsun denotes the temperature of
the sun, typically considered as 6000 K. Additionally, I denotes the maximum solar radiation
intensity attainable, disregarding any shielding.
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The output exergy within the system is symbolized by thermal exergy.

 X o u t   X th (10)
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Where Xth is the thermal exergy.

The subsequent expression represents the exergy efficiency of the system:

 ex   X out (11)
 X in
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2.4 Systems operation

2.4.1 Preoptimized single-tank SAASHP System and its operation strategy
Initially, the TRNSYS platform is employed to construct a model for the conventional single-
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tank system. The configuration of the single-tank solar-assisted air source heat pump water heating
system is illustrated in Fig.2 (a). The system encompasses a solar collector unit, an air source heat
pump unit, a storage tank, and a pump unit. The operational strategy is predicated upon timed
temperature difference control, wherein DHW is supplied from 6:00 in the morning until midnight.
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In accordance with the design standard GB 50555-2010 and scientific recommendations for bathing
water temperature (ranging from 35°C to 40°C), the supply water temperature at the user end is set
at 45°C. Emphasis is placed on solar heating, with priority given to this source over air source heat

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 pump heating. When the temperature difference between the outlet temperature of the solar collector
and the bottom outlet temperature of the tank surpasses 8°C, the circulation pump activates

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automatically. Conversely, it deactivates when the temperature difference falls below 2°C. If the
solar collector proves incapable of meeting the hot water temperature requirement at the user end,
the air source heat pump unit engages. The operational strategy employs time temperature difference
control. Whenever the bottom temperature of the tank drops 5°C below the predetermined

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temperature (45°C), the heat pump commences operation and ceases operation once the desired
temperature is attained.
2.4.2 Dual-tank SAASHP System
The SSASHP water heating system demonstrates superior cost-effectiveness and energy
efficiency when compared to a single air source heat pump water heating system. To further

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augment the system's economic advantages, an additional thermal storage tank is integrated. This
particular tank is exclusively utilized for night storage, taking advantage of cheap off-peak

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electricity to heat the water. Consequently, the stored heated water becomes available for heating
purposes during the subsequent day. In the city of Zhenjiang, the electricity price is 0.5583 CNY
per kilowatt-hour from 8:00 to 21:00 on a daily basis, and 0.3583 CNY per kilowatt-hour from
21:00 to 8:00 the following day.
The diagram in Fig.2 (b) depicts a dual-tank system equipped with night storage capability.
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Considering the pattern of hot water consumption by students, the demand during daylight hours is
relatively subdued, comprising approximately 22% of the entire day (spanning from 6:00 to 19:00).
The initial design specification for the night storage tank stands at 10 m3. Throughout the simulation
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process, a non-full-liquid tank is chosen for the night storage, deviating from the conventional fully-
filled tanks commonly employed in typical models. This particular tank type does not assume a
constant water level throughout the heating and usage periods, aligning more accurately with the
practicality of overnight thermal storage. The night storage tank undergoes refilling between 21:00
and 24:00 daily, and it is heated during the off-peak hours (ranging from 21:00 to 6:00 the following
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morning) when the electricity price is lower. Subsequent to 6:00 AM, precedence is given to
extracting hot water from the night storage tank. Once the night storage tank is depleted, the system
reverts to the operational strategy of the single-tank SAASHP system.
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3. Results and discussion

3.1 Triple-tank SAASHP System
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In this study, it is discovered that despite the incorporation of a night storage tank, the dual-
tank system did not exhibit a reduction in electricity consumption. On the contrary, during the frigid
winter season, electricity usage even escalated, resulting in a corresponding upsurge in carbon
emissions. While the economic advantages serve as a fundamental measure of the system's worth,
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they do not fully signify the energy-conservation benefits. In reality, the utilization of off-peak
electricity during nighttime implies procuring high-energy consumption at a lower cost. Therefore,
in this particular system, the economic benefits fail to represent the energy-saving advantages. To
address this concern, this research introduces an innovative triple-tank SAASHP water heating
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system.

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 Zhenjiang collector pipeline-2

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controller

storage tank
mix type11d-2

pipeline heat collecting pump

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night storage tank
buffer tank

type31 type11f

mix-3

ASHP Type31-2 heating circulating pump type11d

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tempering valve control

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div-3

DHW supply volume

DHW schedule
div-2
mix-4

night water filling

filling time at night div

peak and valley electric charges

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heat release time of heat storage tank

Fig.3 Diagram of triple-tank solar-assisted air source heat pump water heating system
A triple-tank system for solar-assisted air source heat pump water heating, depicted in Fig.2
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(c), is developed by integrating a dedicated buffer tank for the air source heat pump unit into the
existing dual-tank setup. The TRNSYS simulation diagram of this system can be observed in Figure
3. In instances where solar radiation is insufficient, the air source heat pump prioritizes heating the
water in the buffer tank. The heated water is then mixed with water from the storage tank at the
water blending valve, serving the purpose of heating. In a patent application for solar air
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conditioning systems, Rong [39] introduced a parallel multi-stage thermal storage tank design. This
design, possessing the same thermal storage capacity, enables a swifter temperature rise of the stored
water, consequently enhancing the system's COP. This current study draws inspiration from the
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aforementioned solar air conditioning system design. By leveraging the advantages of a multi-tank
system with variable heat storage capacity, it effectively eliminates the mingling of hot and cold
water, thus significantly enhancing the utilization of solar energy. Moreover, it improves
compatibility with the load requirements of the water heating system, ensuring a more optimal
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alignment [40].
3.2 Analysis of optimization results
The optimum outcomes of the three devised systems, achieved via simulations conducted under
identical weather conditions and employing the Hooke-Jeeves algorithm activated by GENOPT unit,
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are presented in Table 2. In the table, "Single-," "Dual-," and "Triple-" respectively represent single-
tank, dual-tank, and triple-tank systems.
Table 2 The principal parameters of the water heating system following optimization

Single- Dual- Triple-

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Rated heating capacity: Rated heating capacity:

Rated heating capacity: 580kW
ASHP 550kW 590kW
Rated heating power: 160kW
Rated heating power: Rated heating power:

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 147kW 170kW
Area: 335m2 Area: 387m2 Area: 387m2

Solar collector Dip angle: 32°
Azimuth angle: 4.4°
Volume of storage tank:
Dip angle: 32°
Azimuth angle: 8.9°
Volume of storage tank:
40m³
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Dip angle: 35°
Azimuth angle: 10.0°
Volume of storage tank: 40m³
Volume of buffer tank: 8m³

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Tanks
40m³ Volume of night storage tank: Volume of night storage tank:
12m³ 12m³

12000 Single-

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Monthly electricity consumption/kWh

Dual-
Triple-

10000

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8000

6000

4000
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2000
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0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Time/month

Fig.4 Comparison diagram of monthly electricity consumption of three systems

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6000
Single-
System monthly electricity charges/CNY

Dual-
Triple-
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5000

4000

3000
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2000

1000
ep

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Time/month
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Fig.5 Comparison diagram of monthly electricity charges of three systems

Fig.4 and Fig.5 depict the monthly electricity consumption and cost comparisons for the three
systems over the course of the year. It is evident that all three systems exhibit a trend of increased

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 electricity consumption during the cold months (January to April, November to December) and
decreased electricity consumption during the warm months (May to October).

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The dual-tank system and the triple-tank system incur annual electricity costs of 18,725.3 CNY
and 18,404.3 CNY, respectively. These figures signify savings of 20.3% and 22.5% when compared
to the single-tank system. Notably, the dual-tank system exhibits a marginal increase of 0.8% in
overall energy consumption compared to the single-tank system, indicating that the night storage

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tank does not contribute to energy savings. The enhancement in economic efficiency primarily
stems from the utilization of preferential nighttime electricity rates.
On the other hand, the triple-tank system showcases notable progress in both economic
efficiency and energy conservation, as it exhibits a reduction of 3.9% in overall electricity
consumption compared to the single-tank system.

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At the same time, according to the advantages of the two new systems in power saving, through
the calculation of carbon emission coefficient, it can be concluded that the dual-tank system and the

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triple-tank system can reduce carbon emissions by 2.3% and 6.3% respectively.

Single-
Dual-
0.6
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Solar fraction

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0.4

0.2
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0.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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Time/month

Fig.6 Comparison diagram of monthly solar fraction of three systems

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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4536634
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6
Single-
Dual-
Triple-

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average system COP
4

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0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Time/month
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Fig.7 Comparison diagram of monthly average system COP of three systems
Figure 6 and Figure 7 illustrate the monthly comparisons of the solar energy fraction and the
average system COP for the three systems over the course of a year. It is apparent that as the months
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transition towards the warmer months (May to October), the solar energy fraction experiences an
increase. The average system COP, which is significantly influenced by solar energy fraction, tends
to improve correspondingly.
The solar fraction of the triple-tank system surpasses that of the single-tank system by 7.6%.
Nevertheless, due to the integration of night storage, the dual-tank system exhibits an even lower
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solar fraction compared to the single-tank system. In the warm months, the dual-tank system and
the triple-tank system demonstrate average COP improvements of 4.2% and 8.7%, respectively, in
comparison to the single-tank system. This advantage can be attributed to the flexible distribution
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facilitated by the multi-tank system design. The enhanced COP of the triple-tank system, compared
to the dual-tank system, is a result of the inclusion of a buffer tank. This buffer tank prevents direct
replenishment of cold water into the storage tank, thereby avoiding the mixing of cold and hot water.
Consequently, the solar energy utilization of the entire system is further enhanced.
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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4536634
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Triple-
Dual-

cold months

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Time/month

warm months

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0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
System exergy efficiency

Fig.8 Comparison diagram of exergy efficiency of triple-tank system and dual-tank system
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Figure 8 illustrates the comparison of the mean exergy efficiency between the triple-tank
system and the dual-tank system throughout the cold and warm months, effectively portraying the
extent of energy utilization within the system. During the cold months, when energy consumption
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rises, the exergy efficiency of triple-tank and dual-tank systems average 0.91 and 0.85, respectively.
Notably, the exergy efficiency of the triple-tank system was significantly improved by 7.1%. In
warm months, the average exergy efficiency of the triple-tank and dual-tank systems is 0.90 and
0.83, respectively, with the triple-tank system showing a significant increase of 8.4%. These
findings are consistent with previous research, highlighting the advantages of triple-tank systems in
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terms of energy efficiency and solar fraction.

Table 3 The optimized lifecycle annual cost and annual carbon emissions of the three systems
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Lifecycle annual cost /CNY Annual carbon emissions /kg

Single- 171457.5 52182.4

Dual- 163935.2 53335.6

Triple- 162541.7 49816.1

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Based on the optimization results, both the dual-tank and triple-tank systems exhibit
considerable advantages in terms of economic efficacy compared to the single-tank system.
Nonetheless, the dual-tank system attains its economic benefits at the cost of compromising energy
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conservation and emission reduction performance, leading to a 2.3% rise in carbon emissions
compared to the conventional single-tank systems. On the whole, the triple-tank solar-assisted air
source heat pump water heating system can save 5.2% in annual life cycle costs and 6.3% in carbon
emissions compared to a single-tank system。
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4. Conclusions

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4536634
 To optimize the design of the water heating system in Zhenjiang's university dormitories,
aiming to minimize life cycle expenses and promote energy conservation and emission reduction, a

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proposition is put forth. This solution involves the inclusion of a night storage tank and a heat pump
buffer tank. Computational simulations are carried out for three configurations: the triple-tank
SAASHP water heating system, the dual-tank system, and the conventional single-tank system. The
system parameters are optimized and analyzed. Compared to the conventional single-tank system,

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the systems incorporating a night storage tank showcases superior economic efficacy. Notably, there
are discernible savings of 20.3% for dual-tank system and 22.5% for triple-tank system in electricity
expenses. The average COP for both the dual-tank and triple-tank systems exhibits notable
enhancements, with increases of 4.2% and 8.7%, respectively, in comparison to the single-tank
system. Moreover, the solar fraction of the triple-tank system is 7.6% higher than that of the single-

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tank system. However, it is worth noting that the carbon emissions of the dual-tank system surpass
those of the single-tank and triple-tank systems by 2.3% and 6.3%, respectively. This outcome

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suggests that the energy-saving effect of the dual-tank system is not satisfactory. In the cold months,
the exergy efficiency of the triple-tank system displays a commendable rise of 4.8% in contrast to
the dual-tank system. During the warm months, the exergy efficiency experiences an even more
notable improvement, with an increase of 7.2%.
Taken as a whole, the findings affirm that the triple-tank solar-assisted air source heat pump
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water heating system, incorporating a night storage tank and a buffer tank, holds greater promise
for enhancing energy efficiency, economic performance, and emission reduction in the optimization
of water heating systems.
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Acknowledgement
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Higher Education
Institutions of China (No. 22KJB610018)
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