Exergy and exergoeconomic analyses and multi- objective optimization of a novel cogeneration system for hydrogen and cooling production

Hydrogen production using solar energy can achieve large-scale hydrogen production and solve various energy problems. The concept of hydrogen and cooling cogeneration can realize the cascade and efficient utilization of high-temperature solar energy. In this re -gard, a novel solar-based combined system is proposed to produce hydrogen and cooling using a methanol-reforming process and double-effect absorption refrigeration cycle. En-ergy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and economic criteria were defined to evaluate the feasi-bility of the system for investment and construction. The system was analyzed by developing a precise model in the Engineering Equation Solver. Then, optimal conditions were obtained using multi-objective particle swarm optimization and the LINMAP decision-making approach. The results revealed that the system has an energy efficiency of 75.46% with an exergetic efficiency of 77.24%, a total cost rate of 46.48 $/GJ, a cooling production capacity of 346.7 kW, and a hydrogen generation rate of 0.01511kg/h. Also, the optimum exergy efficiency and unit cost of products are obtained to be 81.38% and 37.96 $/GJ, respectively. Moreover, the total profit of 15.23 $M can be gained at the end of the plant lifetime for the hydrogen cost of 6 $/m3. In this conditions, the payback period is about 1.35 years.(c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.