Thermodynamic performance of a new hybrid system based on concentrating solar system, molten carbonate fuel cell and organic Rankine cycle with CO2 capturing analysis

This paper presents the performance analysis of the process consisting of the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), parabolic dish collector (PDC), linear Fresnel reflector (LFR), Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and the gas turbine, with the carbon dioxide separation process. In proposed novel process, the MCFC waste heat is used to generate additional electricity in the ORC. In addition, a gas turbine embedded in the process also generates electricity. This hybrid system also uses two concentrating solar collectors, i.e. LFR and PDC. The former raises the water temperature b7efore mixing with fuel and the latter raises the temperature of the mixture (water and fuel) before entering the reformer. Furthermore, in present study the performance of parabolic trough collector is investigated, assuming it provides the required duty of evaporator of ORC. Finally, the present study examines the process of carbon dioxide separation. The results revealed that, overall, electrical and exergy efficiency of the hybrid cycle is 58.02 %, 44.2 % and 74.9 %, respectively. Furthermore, the total exergy destruction rate and removal efficiency of the system are 13.67 MW and 78.9 %, respectively. In addition, about 35 collectors of LFR and 55 collectors of PDC are needed to supply the required duty of solar thermal collectors. (C) 2020 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper presents a novel energy conversion system that utilizes waste heat from molten carbonate fuel cells and concentrated solar collectors to generate electricity and facilitate carbon dioxide separation process. The results show that the hybrid system has an electrical efficiency of 58.02%, an exergy efficiency of 44.2%, and a high carbon dioxide removal efficiency.