Thermodynamic and Thermoeconomic Optimization of an Absorption Refrigeration System integrated with Refinery Crude Oil Furnace

Abstract

In the present study, exhaust gases from Tehran refinery crude oil furnace are used in a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG)for generating steam. Then, the steam is directed to a double effect absorption refrigeration cycle to produce cooling. To meet the object, mass and energy balance equations of the coupling is carried out for both the HRSG and the absorption chiller and unknown thermodynamic parameters of the system are evaluated. Afterward, by conducting exergy analysis and using the thermoeconomic method, the cost of the product (refrigeration here) is calculated. Finally, optimization is accomplished simultaneously on both HRSG and absorption chiller in order to minimize the cooling cost by the means of a Genetic algorithm. The outcomes indicate that by using the optimized integrated system 5627 tons of refrigeration is obtainable at the price of 0.0104 (USD per second). Since the flue gas was wasting to environment pricelessly, it should be noted that by implementing the proposed coupling 1.186×107cubic meter of natural gas with the price of 1.508×106(USD) will be saved annually.