Green hydrogen production and utilization in a novel SOFC/GT-based zero-carbon cogeneration system: A thermodynamic evaluation

Abstract

Owing to the rise in global energy demand and environmental issues caused by energy supply and distribution, the attempt to design and develop novel eco-friendly and efficient cogeneration energy systems is one of the current research focuses. In this regard, this study presents a novel zero-carbon cogeneration energy system based on a pressurized solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine (SOFC/GT) with a carbon capture and storage (CCS) process. The designed system accomplishes the joint production of energy (electricity, cooling, and heating) and matter (hydrogen, oxygen, condensate water recovery, and carbon dioxide). The proposed system also includes an advanced alkaline electrolyzer (AAE) system, an organic Rankine cycle, a LiBr-H2O absorption refrigeration cycle, and an LNG regasification cycle. A combination of a solar concentrated photovoltaic/thermal (CPV/T) system and wind turbines feed the AAE system, resulting in green hydrogen production. According to the simulation results, the suggested system under the design conditions generates power, cooling, and domestic hot water with 315 kW, 137.5 kW, and 1.012 kg/s, respectively. Also, this system can capture and store carbon dioxide, recover condensate water, and supply natural gas to the pipeline with values of 74.88 kg/h, 137.9 kg/h, and 624.24 kg/h, respectively. The results from thermodynamic analysis indicate that the CPV/T system has the highest contribution to the exergy destruction rate, and the presented cogeneration system operates with energy and exergy efficiency of 58.09% and 38.58%, respectively. Furthermore, a comprehensive parametric study has been conducted on the developed system in which the impact of important parameters, such as SOFC operating temperature, current density, solar radiation, air velocity, etc., on the output parameters of the system has been examined.