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Tri-Generation System Configuration Selection Based on Energy and Exergy Analyses

Author

Listed:
  • Tuananh Bui

    (Department of Zero-Carbo Fuel & Power Generation, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), 156 Gajeongbuk-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34103, Korea
    Environment·Energy Machinery217, KIMM Campus, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gajeongro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea)

  • Young-Sang Kim

    (Department of Zero-Carbo Fuel & Power Generation, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), 156 Gajeongbuk-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34103, Korea
    Environment·Energy Machinery217, KIMM Campus, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gajeongro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea)

  • Dong-Keun Lee

    (Department of Zero-Carbo Fuel & Power Generation, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), 156 Gajeongbuk-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34103, Korea)

  • Kook-Young Ahn

    (Department of Zero-Carbo Fuel & Power Generation, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), 156 Gajeongbuk-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34103, Korea
    Environment·Energy Machinery217, KIMM Campus, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gajeongro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113, Korea)

  • Sang-Min Lee

    (Department of Zero-Carbo Fuel & Power Generation, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), 156 Gajeongbuk-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34103, Korea)

Abstract

A tri-generation system combining cooling, heating, and power generation can contribute to increased system efficiency and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study proposed a novel concept using 100-kW polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) as the basis for a tri-generation system with an integrated heat pump and adsorption chiller for greenhouse use. Three configurations of heat pump loop were designed to recover the waste heat from PEMFCs and used either for direct heating or cooling power generation in adsorption cooling. Analyses were carried out in terms of primary energy rate (PER) and exergy efficiencies. Of those investigated, the layout with a heat pump and internal heat exchanger demonstrated the best performance, with PERs of the cooling and heating modes at 0.94 and 0.78, respectively. Additionally, the exergy analysis revealed that the exergies are mostly destroyed at the expansion valve and evaporator due to differences in pressure and temperature. These differences are minimized when the system layout contains a cascade heat pump loop or an internal heat exchanger, thus resolving the problem of exergy destruction. As a result, the total exergy destruction in the system was decreased from 61.11% to 49.18% and 46.60%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed configurations showed 36.1% and 31.4% lower values in terms of energy consumption compared with relevant works in the heating mode and cooling mode, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Tuananh Bui & Young-Sang Kim & Dong-Keun Lee & Kook-Young Ahn & Sang-Min Lee, 2022. "Tri-Generation System Configuration Selection Based on Energy and Exergy Analyses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:21:p:7958-:d:954310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Loreti, Gabriele & Facci, Andrea L. & Baffo, Ilaria & Ubertini, Stefano, 2019. "Combined heat, cooling, and power systems based on half effect absorption chillers and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 747-760.
    2. Ge, Y.T. & Tassou, S.A. & Chaer, I. & Suguartha, N., 2009. "Performance evaluation of a tri-generation system with simulation and experiment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(11), pages 2317-2326, November.
    3. Ranjbar Hasani, Mohammad & Nedaei, Navid & Assareh, Ehsanolah & Alirahmi, Seyed Mojtaba, 2023. "Thermo-economic appraisal and operating fluid selection of geothermal-driven ORC configurations integrated with PEM electrolyzer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
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    Cited by:

    1. Bui, Tuananh & Kang, Byeonghyun & Kim, Young Sang & Bae, Yonggyun & Lee, Dong Keun & Lee, Sang Min & Park, Jin Young, 2025. "Fuel cell based tri-generation system for horticulture – part 1. Heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).

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