Performance analysis of integrated linear fresnel reflector with a conventional cooling, heat, and power tri-generation plant

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a thermo-economic analysis of integrating linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) with cooling, heat and power tri-generation plan (LFR-GTPP). The annual performance of the LFR-GTPP with different sizes of gas turbine and solar collector’s area have been examined and presented. Thermoflex + PEACE software were used for the economic-thermodynamic-environmental assessment of different integration configurations. For the considered tri-generation plant (produce 35.6 kg/s of steam (120.55 MW), 2500 kg/s of chilled water (24440 tons), and 90 MWe of steam turbines electricity), the study revealed that LFR-GTPP with gas turbine sizes in the range 130–190 MWe have more economic feasibility for integrating LFR. Furthermore, the study revealed that the integration of LFR system with a conventional gas turbine tri-generation power plant (GTPP) in locations with high solar radiation has more economic feasibility (with 7.6% reduction in LEC) compared to equivalent GTPP integrated with CO2 capturing technology while achieving the same CO2 emissions reduction. Moreover, a conceptual procedure to determine the optimal configurations of the LFR-GTPP has been developed and presented in this article. The results indicate that the proper location to apply optimal integration configuration is in regions with high levels of solar radiation and low ambient temperature.