Solar-based Kalina cycle integrated with PEM fuel cell boosted by thermoelectric generator: Development and thermodynamic analysis

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with the development and thermodynamic assessments of a solar-assisted Kalina cycle with solar energy as the prime mover. Three configurations of the studied systems were suggested based on using different strategies for waste heat management. A comparative thermodynamic analysis is developed to show the influences of proposed arrangements on the performance of the system. A parametric study

is done to find the thermodynamic behavior of the SolKa/TEG–FC system by changing some crucial parameters, such as turbine inlet pressure (TIP), turbine inlet temperature (TIT), and a number of parabolic trough collector ($N_{CPC}$), as well as the concentration of inlet stream to the separator. The results indicated that adding the TEG unit to the SolKa system enhances the thermal efficiency by 0.68% and adding the PEM fuel cell with the TEG unit improves the thermal efficiency by 6.8%. The SolKa/TEG and SolKa/TEG–FC arrangements generate 3.27 and 38.95 kW more output power than the Solka system, respectively. Parametric analysis of SolKa/TEG–FC system for the TIT from 104  to 120°C  leads to increasing output power of about 48.7 kW. The result of the current study can provide a good vision to design a better Kalina cycle integrated with solar energy.

KEYWORDS:

• Kalina cycle
• integrated system
• waste recovery
• thermoelectric generator

Acknowledgements

Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.

Highlights

• Development of thermodynamic simulation of the solar-assisted Kalina cycle

• Comparative thermodynamic analysis of different suggested systems

• The enhancement of 6.8% in thermal efficiency can be achieved in SolKa/TEG–FC

• Adding TEG unit and PEMFC increase 3.27 kW and 38.95 kW of output power