Performance analysis of a novel integrated geothermal-based system for multi-generation applications

In this paper, we propose a novel integrated, geothermal-based double flash power generating, ammonia-water quadruple effect absorption, and electrolyzer system for cooling, heating, power, hot water and hydrogen production. Detailed energy and exergy analyses are carried out, and the effects of geothermal source temperature, geothermal source mass flow rate, geothermal source pressure, effect of ambient temperature are then studied parametrically. It is found that increasing geothermal source temperature, pressure and mass flow rate results in increasing power and rate of hydrogen produced. The amount of hydrogen produced is found to be increasing from 1.85 kg/day to 11.67 kg/day with rise in geothermal source temperature from 440 K to 500 K respectively, and from 7.9 kg/day to 9.6 kg/day with increase in geothermal source pressure from 3000 kPa to 5000 kPa, respectively. However, increase in geothermal source temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate has negative effects on cooling production. Moreover, a rise in ambient temperature results in better exergetic efficiency of the system. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.