Energetic and exegetic analysis of a novel multi-generation system using solar power tower

Abstract

In this study, energy and exergy analyses are conducted on a multi-generation system driven by renewable energy source. The system produces power, cooling and domestic hot water as output by means of a gas cycle, a steam cycle, a double-effect absorption chiller and two domestic hot water heaters. Parametric analysis is performed so as to examine the results of altering certain operating conditions; for example ambient temperature and irradiation from the sun on the effectiveness of the system. This solar multi-generation system is seen to have an energetic efficiency of 55.94% and an exergetic efficiency of 29.23%, while the energetic coefficient of performance of the double-effect LiBr-H2O pair absorption chiller is determined to be 1.253 and the exegetic efficiency of the absorption chiller is 0.3762. The exergy destruction assessment for some of the system components reveals that the receiver of the solar power tower is the component with the highest exergy destruction rate.