Title: Energy and exergy analysis of a novel multigeneration system producing cooling, heating, power and pure water

Authors: A.S. Mehr; V. Zare

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, P.O. Box1751, Tabriz 51656-87386, Iran ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, P.O. Box1751, Tabriz 51656-87386, Iran

Abstract: A novel multi-generation system producing power, pure water, cooling and heating is proposed and analysed in detail. The system comprises a hybrid generator-absorber heat exchanger (GAX), the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), the absorption heat transformer (AHT) and a desalination system. For comparison purposes, three working fluids, including R123, Isopentane and n-butane are considered in the ORC. Detailed energy and exergy analyses are carried out and then the system performance is optimised, thermodynamically. Results show that thermal and exergy efficiencies of the proposed system could be up to 89.2% and 43.05%, respectively. These efficiencies are considerably higher than the conventional values for single or cogeneration systems. It is also found that considering 1 kg/s of geothermal hot water stream, the produced pure water is enough for almost 36 residential units.

Keywords: desalination; energy analysis; exergy analysis; multigeneration systems; cooling; heating; power generation; pure water; hybrid GAX; generator-absorber heat exchangers; ORC; organic Rankine cycle; renewable energy; thermodynamics; thermal efficiency; exergy efficiency; geothermal hot water; residential units.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2014.065642

International Journal of Exergy, 2014 Vol.15 No.2, pp.233 - 255

Received: 07 Feb 2013
Accepted: 20 Apr 2013
Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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