Energy and exergy evaluation of an innovative hybrid system coupled with HRSG and HDH desalination units

Integrated energy systems are known as the most appreciable and high-efficient energy suppliers for addressing the burning issues of energy shortages in the current advanced societies. In addition to efficiency augmentation of the basic system with such deliberation, it is highly imperative to design a renewable-based source as the prime mover of such an integrated energy system. Regarding such a requirement in the nowadays energy sectors, a new hybrid system run by a SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) is suggested in this study. To show the possibility of the proposed system, thermodynamics laws are accounted as an advantageous tool for the evaluation of the proposed hybrid system. The outcomes exhibit that the introduced trigeneration system generates heating load, net electricity, and distilled water of 370.2 kW, 1605 kW, and 345.708 kg/h, respectively. Based on this scenario, the trigeneration energetic and exergetic efficiencies are computed 85.56% and 63.04%, respectively. Additionally, among all elements, the SOFC stack and afterburner are recognized as the most destructive components by 233.3 kW and 173.3 kW, respectively. An exhaustive parametric evaluation is carried out through the study and it is figured out that the main factors of the system can have a maximum point in terms of the fuel utilization factor, desalination flow ratio, and desalination maximum temperature. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.