Energetic and exergetic evaluation of a novel solar-based cogeneration cycle for combined production of power and cooling

In this paper a parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of influencing operating variables on cooling to power ratio and exergy efficiency of the solar based cogeneration cycle. The results indicate that both energy and exergy efficiencies of the cogeneration increases by less than a percent while cooling to power ratio reduces by 33% when the direct normal irradiation (DNI) rises from 800 W/m² to 975 W/m². The energy efficiency (EUF) and exergy efficiency vary from 28.43% to 32.82% and 16.67% to 15.66%, respectively, when turbine back pressure increased from 0.3 MPa to 0.475 MPa. The EUF and cooling to power ratio vary from 31.15% to 43.66% and 1.3 to 2.25, respectively, with a rise in evaporator temperature from 4°C to 11°C. It is indicated that around 83.97% of the input solar exergy is destroyed owing to irreversibilities in the components and via energy transfers through the condenser and drain water.