Thermodynamic diagnosis of a novel solar-biomass based multi-generation system including potable water and hydrogen production

In this study, a new proposed multi-generation system as a promising integrated energy conversion system is studied, and its performance is investigated thermodynamically. The system equipped with parabolic trough collectors and biomass combustor to generate electricity, heating and cooling loads, hydrogen and potable water. A double effect absorption chiller to provide cooling demand, a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and a multi-effect desalination system to provide potable water by recovering the waste heat of biomass combustion is combined with a steam Rankine cycle. The results of the thermodynamic analysis indicate that thermal efficiency of 82.5% and exergy efficiency of 14.6% is achievable for the proposed system. Hydrogen and potable water production rates are 88.1 kg/h and 3.9 m3/h, respectively. The proposed system generates 26.3 MW electricity, 26.3 MW heating load, and 137.2 MW cooling load.  Parabolic trough solar collector, double effect absorption chiller and biomass combustor are the primary sources of thermodynamic irreversibilities in comparison to other components. The mass flow rate of biomass fed to the system and aperture area of parabolic trough solar collector is calculated to be 6.2 ton/h and 188,000 m2. Besides conventional analyses, to conclude the concept of multiplicity six different cases for the studied multi-generation system are modeled and evaluated regarding thermal and exergy efficiencies. Finally, the parametric study is performed to identify the consequential parameters on the thermodynamic performance of the system.