Title: Energy and exergy assessment of a solar-based trigeneration system

Authors: Krishna Mani Mishra; Onkar Singh

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, 208002, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, 208002, India

Abstract: This study developed a trigeneration system using a Nitrogen-Brayton cycle for power, cooling, and steam generation driven by solar energy. A heat recovery steam generator and vapour absorption refrigeration system are used to produce saturated steam and cooling output, respectively. The results showed that the thermal efficiency, exergy efficiency, and power output of the overall solar plant were found to be 51.55%, 39.25% and 16,386 kW, respectively. The system delivered heating and cooling outputs of 9,666 kW and 531.90 kW, respectively. The proposed solar plant achieved a 62.20% higher thermal efficiency compared to the conventional nitrogen-based Brayton cycle.

Keywords: solar power tower; SPT; trigeneration; exergy analysis; Brayton cycle; heat recovery steam generator; HRSG; absorption refrigeration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2026.155458

International Journal of Exergy, 2026 Vol.50 No.3, pp.211 - 222

Received: 09 Jan 2026
Accepted: 01 Feb 2026
Published online: 03 Aug 2026 *

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