An Exergoeconomic Evaluation of an Innovative Polygeneration System Using a Solar-Driven Rankine Cycle Integrated with the Al-Qayyara Gas Turbine Power Plant and the Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

Abstract

This study aims to develop, evaluate, and improve a polygeneration system that combines solar and Brayton cycle technologies and focuses on the sequential integration of heat. In this configuration, the exhaust gases from the Al-Qayyarah gas turbine power plant and the parabolic trough collector (PTC) array generate steam through a high recovery steam generation process. An absorption refrigeration system also supplies the Brayton circuit with low-temperature air. This process is evaluated from a 3E perspective, which includes exergy, energy, and exergoeconomic analyses for two different configurations. These configurations are integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) with and without absorption systems (ISCC and ISCC-ARC). In addition, a comprehensive analysis was carried out to assess the impact of critical factors on the output generated, the unit cost of the products, and the exergy and energy efficiency for each configuration. The results revealed that the power produced by the ISCC-ARC and ISCC systems is 580.6 MW and 547.4 MW, respectively. Accordingly, the total energy and exergy efficiencies for the ISCC-ARC are 51.15% and 49.4%, respectively, while for the ISCC system, they are 50.89% and 49.14%, respectively. According to the results, the total specific costs for the ISCC-ARC system increased from 69.09 $/MWh in June to 79.05 $/MWh in December. ISCC’s total specific costs also fluctuate throughout the year, from 72.56 $/MWh in June to 78.73 $/MWh in December.