Proposed and assessment of a sustainable multigeneration plant combined with a transcritical CO2 cycle operated by flash-binary geothermal energy

Abstract

The current paper deals with the development and analysis of an innovative multigeneration plant, which is powered by geothermal energy, and integrated with the transcritical Rankine cycle (tCO2−RC), proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, multi-effect desalination unit (MED), and ejector cooling system (ECS). The main objective of this research paper is to produce power, hydrogen, freshwater, and cooling in an environmentally benign way, by integrating the different subsystems. A comprehensive parametric analysis that is thermodynamic and economic and exergo-environmental impact assessment are addressed. For these parametric analyses, the variation of some important parameters that affect the system performance is examined and illustrated. According to the modeling findings, the net power and hydrogen production capacity of the modeled combined power plant is 982.4 kW and 0.0024 kgs−1, respectively. The cycle's overall energy efficiency is computed to be 40.04%, although its exergetic efficiency is 36.31%. When the irreversibility among the plant components is compared, the highest irreversibility occurred in the PEM water heater with 1508 kW, followed by heat exchangers 1 and 2. Given the economic results, the modeled plant's cost rate is calculated to be 200.2 $/hr. In the end, it can be recommended that this modeled plant is suitable that is from the point of perspective of the performance, economy, and exergo-environmental relations.