Thermodynamic Analysis of an Integrated SOFC, Solar ORC and Absorption Chiller for Tri‐generation Applications. Issue 5 (26th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ozcan, H.; Dincer, I.
• Is Part Of: Fuel cells. Volume 13:Issue 5(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 781
• Page End: 793
• Publication Date: 2013-07-26
• Subjects: Fuel cells -- Periodicals; 621.312429
• DOI: 10.1002/fuce.201300012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1615-6846

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Thermodynamic performance assessment of an integrated tri‐generation energy system for power, heating and cooling production is conducted through energy and exergy analyses. Sustainability assessment is performed and some parametric studies are undertaken to analyze the impact of system parameters and environmental conditions on the system performance. The tri–generation system consists of (a) an internal reforming tubular type solid oxide fuel cell (IR‐SOFC), which works at ambient pressure and fueled with syngas, (b) a combustor and a air heat exchanger, (c) a heat recovery and steam generation unit (HRSG), (d) a two‐ stage Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) driven by exhaust gases of SOFC, (e) parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSC), and (f) a lithium‐bromide absorption chiller (AC) cycle driven by exhaust gases from SOFC unit. The largest irreversibility occurs at the SOFC unit due to high temperature requirement for reactions. Fuel utilization factor, recirculation ratio, dead state conditions, and solar unit parameters have influential effects on the system efficiencies. Energy and exergy efficiencies of tri‐generation unit become 85.1% and 32.62%, respectively, for optimum SOFC stack and environmental conditions. The overall system energy and exergy efficiencies are 56.25% and 15.44% higher than that of conventional SOFC systems, respectively.</p> </abstract>