Thermodynamic investigation of a novel cooling-power cogeneration system driven by solar energy

This communication develops a novel cooling-power cogeneration system consisting of a parabolic trough collector utilizes gasses as the medium for solar to heat conversion, and the Kalina cycle integrated series-flow double effect LiBr-H2O absorption chiller to generate electricity and large cooling, simultaneously. By developing a thermal model, a simulation through EES is conducted to investigate the influence of internal tube diameter of absorber and solar irradiation on the exit temperature of SHTF and flowing mass of the working fluid of Kalina cycle. It is determined that for the given inlet temperature and solar irradiation, the outlet temperature of SHTF is declined when the internal diameter of absorber tube is increased. The effect of change in SHTF, pressure at expander entry, and the concentration of ammonia-water basic solution on electrical power produced, refrigeration capacity, exergy of refrigeration, efficiencies of the cogeneration cycle are investigated. The cogeneration cycle with helium operated PTSC indicates better results than the use of air and CO2 as SHTF. Increase in the outlet temperature of SHTF (helium) leads to considerable increase in electrical power, refrigeration capacity, and exergy of refrigeration. The breaking down of solar exergy supplied to developed configuration reveals an exergy destruction of the order of 64.01% along with the exergy loss to environment of 1.92%, and exergy of refrigeration of 4.65% with generated power exergy of 29.42%, respectively. The computational results of present investigation are compared with the theoretically published data and a good agreement is found between these data.