Thermodynamic investigation and optimization Tri-generation system for the provision of power, heating, and cooling: A case study of Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is the thermodynamic analysis of the trigeneration system based on energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and power. The trigeneration system under study consists of three subsystems that including the solar subsystem, Kalina subsystem, and lithium bromide-water absorption chiller subsystem. The proposed system generates power, cooling and hot water by using solar energy. The system studied is designed and analyzed based on the weather condition in Zahedan, Iran. According to the exergy analysis, the most exergy destruction rate takes place in the solar cycle. The results of the base-case analysis demonstrate that energy and exergy efficiencies and total cost rates are 17.37%, 18.82% and 9.63 dollars per hour, respectively. Furthermore, comparison of optimization criteria such as energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and power are discussed. The results show power is the best criteria for thermodynamic optimization. The results of trigeneration system optimization based on maximum power criterion show that produced power, energy efficiency, exergy efficiency and total cost rate increase 28%, 12.32%, 13.97% and 7.68%, respectively in comparison with the base-case. As a result, this research is proved that thermodynamic investigation is closer to the ideal state in power criterion.