Performance analysis of stirling engine double-effect absorption chiller hybrid system for waste heat utilization from gas turbine modular helium reactor

Abstract

In this study, a cogeneration system that consists of a Stirling engine, Double Effect H2O/LiBr Absorption Chiller, and Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor cycle was examined. The rejected heat from the Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor cycle was used as input energy for both, the Stirling engine and the Double Effect Absorption Chiller to produce additional power and chilled water, respectively. A thermodynamic analysis was performed and optimized for the proposed cycle based on the first law of thermodynamics/energy utilization efficiency. The effects of some parameters were studied, including compressor pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature, the low-pressure compressor inlet temperature, in addition to the operating temperatures of the Stirling engine and the Double Effect Absorption Chiller. Our results indicate that integrating the two systems into the GT-MHR cycle will increase the energy utilization efficiency by 4.73%−5.46%-points at a turbine inlet temperature range of 700–900 °C. Moreover, the results show that the helium mass flow rate of the combined cycle at the same turbine inlet temperature range is lower than that of the standalone Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor cycle by 16.1%−17.78%.