Energy performance analysis of solar assisted gas-fired boiler heating system for floating roof oil tank

An innovative solar assisted gas-fired boiler heating system for floating roof oil tank is proposed to achieve the low carbonization of the conventional crude oil heating method. However, the dynamic energy transport performance of the proposed heating system affected by the key engineering parameters (crude oil capacity load, mass flow rate of heat transfer fluid (HTF), crude oil initial temperature) is unclear, which hinders the engineering application of this technology. In this regard, a simulation platform for solar assisted gas-fired boiler heating system for floating roof oil tank is established, and the above mentioned engineering parameters are investigated. The results show that under the condition of combined heating of evacuated tube solar collector (ETSC), phase change heat storage tank (PCHT), and auxiliary heat source (AHS), the system can achieve stable operation by means of controllers. With the increase of crude oil capacity load, the time for the crude oil to reach its design temperature is delayed, and up to 84.21% time lag is recorded. Apart from the contribution of AHS, the maximum annual heat supply of 43.37% is provided by PCHT and ETSC, presenting good energy-saving potential. Increasing HTF mass flow rate and crude oil initial temperature is a good strategy to reduce the output of AHS, in which the annual heat supply proportion of AHS decreases by 2.25% and 2.05%, respectively. The operating stability of proposed system is enhanced under the condition of higher HTF mass flow rate, compared to the 3.5 kg/s HTF mass flow rate, the safe reserve time increases by 31.44% for 7 kg/s and 34.24% for 14 kg/s HTF mass flow rate, respectively.