Solar energy based integrated system for power generation, refrigeration and desalination

In this study, a multigeneration system is proposed to integrate a solar-driven gas turbine with an organic Rankine cycle, a small capacity absorption refrigeration system, single stage flash desalination, and direct space heating. Three concentrated solar collectors with rated concentration ratios of 300, 500, and 800, at a solar insolation of I = 800 W/m2, produce 1000 °C air at the gas turbine inlet. Heat recovery from compressor intercooling and exhaust streams supply heat to the absorption refrigeration system generator, desalination process, and organic Rankine cycle boiler. These subsystems include secondary power generation, chilled water storage for space cooling, and domestic hot water production from heated desalinated water. Space heating is obtained through heat exchange with warm waste brine from the desalination process. The proposed system is compared to a reference system integrating the same solar power system with a Kalina cycle at energy and exergy efficiencies of 0.275 and 0.29. The multigeneration system indicates energetic and exergetic efficiencies of 0.284 and 0.27, respectively. Although the solar gas turbine-Kalina system suggests similar efficiency results, the multigeneration system provides a more sustainable and promising for additional commodity production from a single heat source at suitable levels for community or small commercial applications, which would otherwise require additional primary energy sources.