Investigation of a Hybridized Cascade Trigeneration Cycle Combined with a District Heating and Air Conditioning System Using Vapour Absorption Refrigeration Cooling: Energy and Exergy Assessments

Larry Orobome Agberegha (), Peter Alenoghena Aigba, Solomon Chuka Nwigbo, Francis Onoroh, Olusegun David Samuel (), Tanko Bako, Oguzhan Der, Ali Ercetin and Ramazan Sener
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Larry Orobome Agberegha: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, P.M.B 1221, Effurun 330102, Delta State, Nigeria
Peter Alenoghena Aigba: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, P.M.B 1221, Effurun 330102, Delta State, Nigeria
Solomon Chuka Nwigbo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka 420218, Anambra State, Nigeria
Francis Onoroh: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka 101017, Lagos State, Nigeria
Olusegun David Samuel: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, P.M.B 1221, Effurun 330102, Delta State, Nigeria
Tanko Bako: Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Taraba State University, Jalingo 660213, Yobe State, Nigeria
Oguzhan Der: Department of Marine Vehicles Management Engineering, Maritime Faculty, Bandırma Onyedi Eylul University, Bandırma 10200, Türkiye
Ali Ercetin: Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Maritime Faculty, Bandırma Onyedi Eylul University, Bandırma 10200, Türkiye
Ramazan Sener: Department of Marine Vehicles Management Engineering, Maritime Faculty, Bandırma Onyedi Eylul University, Bandırma 10200, Türkiye

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-34

Abstract: The insufficiency of energy supply and availability remains a significant global energy challenge. This work proposes a novel approach to addressing global energy challenges by testing the supercritical property and conversion of low-temperature thermal heat into useful energy. It introduces a combined-cascade steam-to-steam trigeneration cycle integrated with vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) and district heating systems. Energetic and exergetic techniques were applied to assess irreversibility and exergetic destruction. At a gas turbine power of 26.1 MW, energy and exergy efficiencies of 76.68% and 37.71% were achieved, respectively, while producing 17.98 MW of electricity from the steam-to-steam driven cascaded topping and bottoming plants. The cascaded plant attained an energetic efficiency of 38.45% and an exergy efficiency of 56.19%. The overall cycle efficiencies were 85.05% (energy) and 77.99% (exergy). More than 50% of the plant’s lost energy came from the combustion chamber of the gas turbine. The trigeneration system incorporated a binary NH 3 –H 2 O VAR system, emphasizing its significance in low-temperature energy systems. The VAR system achieved a cycle exergetic efficiency of 92.25% at a cooling capacity of 2.07 MW, utilizing recovered waste heat at 88 °C for district hot water. The recovered heat minimizes overall exergy destruction, enhancing thermal plant performance.

Keywords: combined cycle; low-temperature energy source; exergetic destruction; refrigeration; irreversibility; cascade power; waste-to-energy conversion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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