Optimal design and economic analysis of a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell and parabolic solar dish collector, combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system used for a large commercial tower

A combined system containing solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), solar parabolic dish, double effect LiBr-H2O absorption chiller system and organic Rankine cycle is modeled and analyzed to design a novel poly-generation system producing: electricity, space heating and cooling and domestic hot water, for a commercial tower in Tehran. The system also contains a number of auxiliary components required for the balance of the plant, such as: compressors, pumps, heat exchangers and etc. Developed electrochemical model of the fuel cell using the MATLAB software is validated with experimental results. Results indicate that electrical efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell, electrical efficiency of the combined system and overall thermal efficiency of the system are 41.49%, 48.73% and 79.49% respectively. Investment cost for the cogeneration system is computed 3.470 million dollar. The simple payback period is obtained 4.43 years.