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Performance evaluation and optimization of a novel combined cooling, heating, power, and freshwater poly-generation system integrated with methanol-fueled solid oxide fuel cell and internal combustion engine

Author

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  • Zhou, Xianqi
  • You, Huailiang
  • Chen, Daifen
  • Xiao, Yan
  • Han, Jitian
  • Fang, Zhenlong

Abstract

The escalating global demand for energy and freshwater, coupled with pressing environmental concerns, necessitates the development of highly efficient and sustainable poly-generation systems. This study introduces a novel combined cooling, heating, power, and freshwater poly-generation system that mainly integrates a methanol-fueled solid oxide fuel cell, an internal combustion engine, a supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle, an organic Rankine cycle coupled with steam ejector refrigeration, and a reverse osmosis unit. Rigorous mathematical model for the entire system is formulated, contributing for a thorough analysis of system thermodynamic efficiency, economic cost, and environmental impact. Key performance indicators are assessed for diverse load situations to demonstrate the system ability to efficiently co-produce energy products. Evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed system can deliver 352.4 kW of electricity, 11.7 kW of cooling, 8.9 kW of heating, and 10.5 m3/h of freshwater. The system exergy efficiency reaches 68.0 %, while the system cost rate is 33.40 $/h with the carbon dioxide emission rate of 0.383 kg/kWh. Furthermore, advanced optimization strategies considering different organic working fluids are employed to maximize overall efficiency, minimize operating cost, and reduce carbon dioxide emission. Optimization results reveal that the proposed system achieves the optimal system energy efficiency of 64.68 %, exergy efficiency of 67.77 %, cost rate of 31.95 $/h, and carbon dioxide emission rate of 0.387 kg/kW. Systems using R600, R123, and R1233zd(E) present higher energy efficiencies and lower exergy efficiencies, while the system with R123 brings about the lowest system cost and the highest carbon emission rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Xianqi & You, Huailiang & Chen, Daifen & Xiao, Yan & Han, Jitian & Fang, Zhenlong, 2026. "Performance evaluation and optimization of a novel combined cooling, heating, power, and freshwater poly-generation system integrated with methanol-fueled solid oxide fuel cell and internal combustion engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:344:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226001027
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140000
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