Thermodynamic assessment of modified Organic Rankine Cycle integrated with parabolic trough collector for hydrogen production

Hydrogen is one of the most clean energy carrier and the best alternative for fossil fuels. In this study, thermodynamic analysis of modified Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) integrated with Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) for hydrogen production is investigated. The integrated system investigated in this study consists of a parabolic trough collector, a modified ORC, a single effect absorption cooling system and a PEM electrolyzer. By using parabolic trough collector, solar energy is converted heat energy and then produced heat energy is used in modified ORC to produce electricity. Electricity is then used for hydrogen production. The outputs of this integrated system are electricity, cooling and hydrogen. By performing a parametric study, the effects of design parameters of PTC, modified ORC and PEM electrolyzer on hydrogen production is evaluated. According to the analysis results, solar radiation is one of the most important factor affecting system exergy efficiency and hydrogen production rate. As solar radiation increases from 400 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2, exergy efficiency of the system increases 58%-64% and hydrogen production rate increases from 0.1016 kg/h to 0.1028 kg/h.