A novel solar assisted multigeneration system devoid of external utilities for drought adaptation considering water-exergy nexus analysis

Abstract

Abstract Conventional steam-driven multigeneration systems contribute to environmental damage by losing significant freshwater and emitting greenhouse gases. Here, a novel solar-powered steam jet ejector-based multigeneration system independent of external cold utilities is proposed for climate change adaptation. A Rankine cycle, an organic Rankine cycle, and a reverse osmosis desalination unit are fully integrated for clean power, cooling, and freshwater production employing. The thermo-mathematical model was evaluated considering thermodynamic efficiencies, annual costs, exergorisk, and global warming potential in a stand-alone and comparative framework. The water utilization of the hot utility was compared with two traditional fossil fuels by conducting a water-exergy nexus analysis. The analytical results showed that most of the total exergy destruction (73 %) occurred in the solar collectors. The proposed system had 0.0171 $.MWh-1 cost of energy and an exergy efficiency of 57.29 % by employing R11. Compared to a natural gas-fired utility, the proposed solar-powered system reduced freshwater withdrawal, and consumption by 16 and 13 times, respectively. The system could achieve the exergetic efficiency of 74.37 % with the cost of energy of 0.013 $.MW-1 in a parametric model. Finally, R365mfc emerged as the optimal fluid for the proposed system by satisfying all performance criteria.