Energy and exergy analyses of a solar powered multi-effect cooling cycle

This study aims to assess the thermodynamic performance of a novel solar powered multi-effect cooling cycle through the cascaded utilisation of energy and exergy. The effects of parameters such as: direct normal irradiation (DNI), turbine inlet temperature, turbine back pressure, and evaporator temperature of ERC were ascertained on the energetic and exergetic performance of the cycle. Exergy destruction occurs throughout the plant components is quantified and illustrated using an exergy flow diagram, and compared to the corresponding energy flow diagram. The exergy efficiency of the cycle was significantly less than its corresponding energy efficiency. Computational analysis further revealed that the maximum exergy losses of more than 34% occur in the solar field followed by 7.25% and 6.75% in the components of ARC and CRC, respectively. Percentage of these exergy losses indicates the sites where the efforts should be made to improve the real performance of proposed cooling cycle.