Thermoeconomic analysis of a trigeneration system

Abstract

In this study a trigeneration plant which produces electrical power with a natural gas fed reciprocating engine and which yields absorption cooling by making use of exhaust gases of the system has been examined. In order to use both energy and financial resources most efficiently, the thermoeconomic analysis method which gives the most accurate and easy results have been applied on the system and its components. Using this method, the amount of available energy (exergy) gained, lost and destroyed have been calculated separately for each component of the system. Taking investment and operation costs of the system into account, recommendations have been given on the subject of which parameters have to be changed in what way so that the system works more efficiently. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.