Energy and Exergy Analysis of an Innovative Power/Refrigeration Cycle: Kalina Cycle and Ejector Refrigeration Cycle

Abstract

This study presents a thermodynamic analysis of a new combined power/refrigeration combined cycle. The combined cycle is comprised of two innovative cycles: Kalina cycle (KNC) and ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC) for power and refrigeration production, respectively. Recovery of heat process is involved in the design of the cycle to rise the energetic and exergetic efficiencies: emitted heat by the KNC is absorbed by the ERC in order to generate cooling. Effects of variation in KNC operational conditions which have direct effects on turbine power production capacity (temperature and pressure of the working fluid flow at the turbine inlet) on performance evaluation parameters of the system (energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, energetic and exergetic content of produced refrigeration and net power) are investigated. A detailed discussion of the results is also reported. Energetic and exergetic efficiency results are substantially dominated by generated power, i.e., KNC parameters which impose direct effect on turbine power production performance is of superior importance to rise the energy and exergy efficiencies.