Hybrid-cooling, combined cooling, heating, and power systems

Abstract

Combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems have the ability to optimize fuel consumption by recovering thermal energy from the prime mover of the power generation unit (PGU). Design of a CCHP system requires consideration, among other variables, of CCHP system components size and type. This study focuses on the analysis of hybrid-cooling, heating, and power (hybrid-cooling CCHP) systems that have an absorption chiller (CH) and a vapour compression system to handle the cooling load. The effect of the size of both cooling mechanisms is analysed in conjunction with the PGU size and efficiency. For better energy performance analysis simulations, results are presented based on the building-CCHP system primary energy consumption (PEC). Hybrid-cooling CCHP systems yield higher primary energy reduction than CCHP systems with an absorption CH alone. To account for the effect of climate conditions, hot and cold climates were considered by performing simulations for Tampa and Chicago weather conditions. The results are presented in tabular form to show the value of the PEC reduction as a function of the PGU size and efficiency, and the size of the absorption CH.