Journal Of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics

Journal Of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics

Thermodynamic Evaluation of a Biomass-Based Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) System with a High-Performance Absorption Chiller and Hot-Box for Building Application

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Arash Kalantari 1
Milad Mehrpooya 2
Alireza Pourmand 3
Majid Soltani 4
1 Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 M.Sc. Student in Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
3 M.Sc. Graduate in Aerospace Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22067/jacsm.2025.94113.1339
Abstract
This study presents the design and thermodynamic analysis of a novel biomass-based trigeneration system intended for building applications. The system integrates an open Brayton cycle, a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle, and a high-performance absorption chiller. Energy and exergy analyses were employed to evaluate system performance. A key innovation lies in the use of a hot box for efficient heat recovery, enabling the absorption chiller to achieve a coefficient of performance (COP) of 82%. Under baseline conditions, the system demonstrates energy and exergy efficiencies of 83.65% and 47.78%, respectively, with total exergy destruction reaching 4366 kW. Raising the hot box outlet temperature to 160°C further improves the chiller’s COP to 82.21% (energy-based) and 32.33% (exergy-based). Parametric analysis indicates that preheating air temperature, CO₂ turbine inlet temperature, and hot box outlet temperature have a substantial impact on system behavior. The results confirm the system’s strong performance and adaptability, underscoring its suitability for integration into hybrid energy systems utilizing renewable resources.
Keywords
Multigeneration
Biomass
High-Efficiency Absorption Chiller
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle
Energy and Exergy Analysis
Subjects
[1] E. Gholamian et al., “Proposal, exergy analysis and optimization of a new biomass‑based cogeneration system,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 93, pp. 223–235, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.09.095
[2] P. Iodice et al., “Energy, economic and environmental performance appraisal of a trigeneration power plant for a new district: Advantages of using a renewable fuel,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 95, pp. 330–338, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.11.017
[3] K. Javaherdeh and S. SafariSabet, “Exergy‑economic and energy investigation of a combined cycle of simultaneous production of Rankine steam and ejector refrigeration cycle using solar energy,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 37, pp. 29–48, 2025. https://doi.org/10.22067/JACSM.2024.88420.1267
[4]  M. S. Hossain et al., “Solar PV and biomass resources‑based sustainable energy supply for off‑grid cellular base stations,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 53817–53840, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2978121
[5] A. Kardgar, “Evaluation of an integrated solar‑geothermal energy system to provide power, heat and cooling,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 19–34, 2022. https://doi.org/10.22067/jacsm.2022.76152.1108
[6] E. Amiri Rad and P. Kazemiani‑Najafabadi, “Thermoeconomic optimization of a superheated Kalina cycle for various geothermal source temperatures in Iran,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2021. https://doi.org/10.22067/jacsm.2022.67824.1002
[7] A. Saoud et al., “Performance investigation and numerical evaluation of a single‑effect double‑lift absorption chiller,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 227, p. 120369, 2023.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.120369
[8] D. Mertzis et al., “Performance analysis of a small‑scale combined heat and power system using agricultural biomass residues: The SMARt‑CHP demonstration project,” Energy, vol. 64, pp. 367–374, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.11.055
[9]     V. G. Nguyen et al., “Improving the prediction of biochar production from various biomass sources through the implementation of explainable machine learning approaches,” International Journal of Green Energy, vol. 21, pp. 2771–2798, 2024.
[10]   S. Akhtari et al., “Economic feasibility of utilizing forest biomass in district energy systems—A review,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 33, pp. 117–127, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.01.058
[11]   V. G. Nguyen et al., “Precise prognostics of biochar yield from various biomass sources by Bayesian approach with supervised machine learning and ensemble methods,” International Journal of Green Energy, vol. 21, pp. 2180–2204, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2023.2297776
[12]   B. Abdoos et al., “Energetic/exergetic parametric study of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system coupled with a local cellulosic biomass combustion chamber,” Energy Reports, vol. 12, pp. 3770–3777, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.09.051
[13]   C. Y. Zheng et al., “A novel thermal storage strategy for CCHP system based on energy demands and state of storage tank,” International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 85, pp. 117–129, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2016.08.008
[14]   M. Jalili et al., “An integrated CCHP system based on biomass and natural gas co‑firing: Exergetic and thermo‑economic assessments in the framework of energy nexus,” Energy Nexus, vol. 5, p. 100016, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2021.100016
[15]   D. Sánchez‑Lozano et al., “Techno‑economic assessment of a hybrid PV‑assisted biomass gasification CCHP plant for electrification of a rural area in the Savannah region of Ghana,” Applied Energy, vol. 377, p. 124446, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124446
[16]   Y. Ma et al., “Proposal and assessment of a novel supercritical CO₂ Brayton cycle integrated with LiBr absorption chiller for concentrated solar power applications,” Energy, vol. 148, pp. 839–854, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.01.155
[17]   P. Ahmadi et al., “Development and assessment of an integrated biomass‑based multi‑generation energy system,” Energy, vol. 56, pp. 155–166, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.04.024
[18]   H. Abd El‑Sattar et al., “Tri‑generation biomass system based on externally fired gas turbine, organic Rankine cycle and absorption chiller,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 260, p. 121068, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121068
[19]   S. S. Bishal et al., “Performance evaluation of an integrated cooling and power system combining supercritical CO₂, gas turbine, absorption refrigeration, and organic Rankine cycles for waste energy recuperating system,” Results in Engineering, vol. 17, p. 100943, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.100943
[20]   S. S. Bishal et al., “Performance evaluation of a novel multigeneration plant of cooling, power, and seawater desalination using supercritical CO₂ partial cooling, ME‑TVC desalination, and absorption refrigeration cycles,” Energy Conversion and Management: X, vol. 20, p. 100485, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2023.100485
[21]   T. U. K. Nutakki et al., “Thermo‑economic‑environmental analysis of a sustainable heat integration design for a biomass‑fueled power plant using integration of CCHP and seawater desalination application,” Desalination, vol. 577, p. 117404, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2024.117404
[22]   Y. Feng et al., “Design, economic analysis, and environmental assessment of an innovative municipal solid waste‑based multigeneration system integrating LNG cold utilization and seawater desalination,” Desalination, vol. 586, p. 117848, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2024.117848
[23]   L. Wang et al., “Thermoeconomic assessment of an innovative combined cooling, heating, and power system based on biomass combustion, TCO₂ cycle, absorption chiller, and desalination,” Process Safety and Environmental Protection, vol. 184, pp. 151–169, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.073
[24]   Z. Xu et al., “Design and comprehensive thermo‑enviro‑economic assessment of an innovative polygeneration system using biomass fuel and LNG regasification: A CCHP‑thermally desalination application,” Process Safety and Environmental Protection, vol. 183, pp. 925–944, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.040
[25]   C. R. Altafini et al., “Prediction of the working parameters of a wood waste gasifier through an equilibrium model,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 44, pp. 2763–2777, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(03)00025-6
[26]   V. Adebayo et al., “Energy, exergy and exergo‑environmental impact assessment of a solid oxide fuel cell coupled with absorption chiller & cascaded closed‑loop ORC for multi‑generation,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 47, pp. 3248–3265, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.02.222
[27]   F. Mohammadkhani et al., “Exergoeconomic assessment and parametric study of a Gas Turbine–Modular Helium Reactor combined with two Organic Rankine Cycles,” Energy, vol. 65, pp. 533–543, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.11.002
[28]   J. Song and C. Gu, “Performance analysis of a dual‑loop organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system with wet steam expansion for engine waste heat recovery,” Applied Energy, vol. 156, pp. 280–289, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.07.019
[29]   J. You et al., “Integrating an innovative geothermal‑driven multigeneration approach and LNG cold energy utilization process for sustainable energy supply, producing hydrogen, power, heating, and cooling,” Process Safety and Environmental Protection, vol. 196, p. 106904, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2025.106904
[30]   M. Shamsi et al., “Evaluation of an environmentally‑friendly poly‑generation system driven by geothermal energy for green ammonia production,” Fuel, vol. 365, p. 131037, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131037
[31]   Q. Zhang et al., “Thermodynamic simulation and optimization of natural gas liquefaction cycle based on the common structure of organic Rankine cycle,” Energy, vol. 264, p. 126134, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.126134
[32]   M. Zoghi et al., “Thermo‑economic assessment of a novel trigeneration system based on coupling of organic Rankine cycle and absorption‑compression cooling and power system for waste heat recovery,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 196, pp. 567–580, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.06.030
[33]   M. S. Barghi Jahromi et al., “Thermo‑economic evaluation of a solar dryer with evacuated heat pipe collector and energy storage,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 32, pp. 39–58, 2021. https://doi.org/10.22067/jacsm.2021.56640.0
[34]   F. Vahidinia, “Evaluation of energy and exergy of a parabolic trough solar collector equipped with internal fin and star turbulator absorber tube,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 36, pp. 97–114, 2024. https://doi.org/10.22067/jacsm.2023.83484.1199
[35]   M. J. Moran et al., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
[36]   M. M. Ghafurrian and H. Niazmand, “Optimization of Combined Cooling Heating and Power System (CCHP) by a novel hybrid method,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 30, pp. 61–78, 2019.
[37]   M. R. Kalateh et al., “Experimental study and numerical modeling of the effect of utilizing selected twisted tape insert on the performance of thermal photovoltaic system,” Journal of Applied and Computational Sciences in Mechanics, vol. 33, pp. 1–22, 2022. https://doi.org/10.22067/JACSM.2022.74538.1083
[38]   A. Bejan et al., Thermal Design and Optimization. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
[39]   P. Ahmadi et al., “Energy and exergy analyses of hydrogen production via solar‑boosted ocean thermal energy conversion and PEM electrolysis,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 38, pp. 1795–1805, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.11.025
[40]   E. Gholamian et al., “Proposal, exergy analysis and optimization of a new biomass‑based cogeneration system,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 93, pp. 223–235, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.09.095
[41]   J. Aman et al., “Residential solar air conditioning: Energy and exergy analyses of an ammonia–water absorption cooling system,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 62, pp. 424–432, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2013.10.006
[42] X. Wang, Y. Yang, Y. Zheng, and Y. Dai, “Exergy and exergoeconomic analyses of a supercritical CO₂ cycle for a cogeneration application,” Energy, vol. 119, pp. 971–982, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.11.044
[43] W. Shao et al., “Simulation and multi‑objective assessment of an environmentally friendly trigeneration system powered by biogas from landfilling using a novel cascade heat integration model,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 425, p. 138664, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138664
 
Send comment about this article
Enter Name.
Enter a valid email address.
Enter a vaid affiliation.
Enter comments (At leaset 10 words)
CAPTCHA Image
Enter Security Code Correctly.