Energy and exergy analysis of a novel multi-generation system producing cooling, heating, power and pure water

A novel multi-generation system producing power, pure water, cooling and heating is proposed and analysed in detail. The system comprises a hybrid generator-absorber heat exchanger (GAX), the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), the absorption heat transformer (AHT) and a desalination system. For comparison purposes, three working fluids, including R123, Isopentane and n-butane are considered in the ORC. Detailed energy and exergy analyses are carried out and then the system performance is optimised, thermodynamically. Results show that thermal and exergy efficiencies of the proposed system could be up to 89.2% and 43.05%, respectively. These efficiencies are considerably higher than the conventional values for single or cogeneration systems. It is also found that considering 1 kg/s of geothermal hot water stream, the produced pure water is enough for almost 36 residential units.