Design and optimization of a novel flash-binary-based hybrid system to produce power, cooling, freshwater, and liquid hydrogen

Abstract

The current work aims to design and analyze a novel hybrid system that can produce power, cooling, freshwater, and liquid hydrogen from a single energy source. The system consists of a flash-binary system, a double-effect absorption refrigeration cycle, a multi-effect desalination unit, and a hydrogen liquefaction unit. The steam turbine provides the power input for the hydrogen liquefaction unit. The system's performance is evaluated by thermodynamic and economic analyses, and a sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of some key parameters on the operation mode. Moreover, the optimal state is determined based on three multi-objective optimization scenarios. The results show that the system consumes 33.93 kW of power and generates 2.106 kg/h of liquid hydrogen. The net present value is mainly influenced by the temperature of the saline feed water, while the fixed capital investment is highly dependent on the cooling load production rate. The optimal state of the system achieves an exergetic efficiency of 25.71% with a payback period of 4.48 years, producing 447.2 kW of cooling load, 1.804 kg/s of freshwater, and 2.107 kg/h of liquid hydrogen.