Performance examination of a solar-driven trigeneration system with a regenerative organic Rankine cycle and a double-effect absorption cooling system

Abstract

Multi-generation systems, which allow us to take better advantage of renewable energy resources, facilitate the simultaneous production of multiple forms of energy. This study conducted theoretical energy and exergy analyses of a solar-driven trigeneration system that generates power, heating, and cooling. The examined trigeneration system consists of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), a Storage Tank (ST), a Regenerative Organic Rankine Cycle (RORC), and a double-effect Absorption Cooling System (ACS). The effects of changes in solar radiation, heat transfer fluid temperature entering the collector, RORC condenser temperature, ACS evaporator temperature, and ACS high generator temperature on the trigeneration system performance were examined regarding energy and exergy. The analyses shows that parabolic collectors account for 81% of the overall exergy loss in the system under default conditions. Additionally, the analysis performed in the default case determined that the net power, heating, and cooling produced in the system have been 18.3 kW, 147.8 kW and 38.3 kW, respectively. Furthermore, based on the analysis conducted in the default case, the system's exergy and energy efficiencies have been determined to be 13.8% and 111.7%, respectively.

Keywords

• Solar energy
• Regenerative organic Rankine cycle
• Absorption cooling system
• Energy analysis
• Exergy analysis