Finite Time Analysis of a Tri-Generation Cycle

Energies

Brian Agnew¹  Sara Walker¹  Bobo Ng³  Ivan C. K. Tam² 

[1] School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; E-Mail:;School of Marine Sciences and Technology, Newcastle University International Singapore (NUIS), Singapore 599493; E-Mail:;Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; E-Mail:

关键词: tri-generation;    finite time;    combined cooling heat and power cycles (CCHPC);    Carnot cycle;   

DOI  :  10.3390/en8066215

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

A review of the literature indicates that current tri-generation cycles show low thermal performance, even when optimised for maximum useful output. This paper presents a Finite Time analysis of a tri-generation cycle that is based upon coupled power and refrigeration Carnot cycles. The analysis applies equally well to Stirling cycles or any cycle that exhibits isothermal heat transfer with the environment and is internally reversible. It is shown that it is possible to obtain a significantly higher energy utilisation factor with this type of cycle by considering the energy transferred during the isothermal compression and expansion processes as useful products thus making the energy utilisation larger than the enthalpy drop of the working fluid of the power cycle. The cycle is shown to have the highest energy utilisation factor when energy is supplied from a low temperature heat source and in this case the output is biased towards heating and cooling.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.