Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

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Energy Conversion and Management

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/enconman

Design, evaluation, and optimization of an efficient solar-based

multi-generation system with an energy storage option for Iran’s summer
peak demand
Leyla Khani a, Farkhondeh Jabari b, Mousa Mohammadpourfard a, *,
Behnam Mohammadi-ivatloo c
a
Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
b
Department of Power System Planning and Operation, Niroo Research Institute (NRI), Tehran, Iran
c
Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In summer, the coastal areas of southern Iran suffer from the freshwater shortage and electricity instability.
Goswami cycle Meanwhile, this region benefits from the high intensity of solar radiation and the huge potential of brackish
Solar energy water resources. Hence, this paper designs a novel cooling, power and pure water trigeneration system for
Optimization
application in this area to mitigate its energy and water crisis. The proposed system is composed of a solar-based
Molten salt heat storage
Goswami power and cooling production cycle and a multistage flash seawater desalination process. Moreover, a
Desalination
Multi-generation molten salt heating energy storage unit is used to prove its steady operation under uncertain sunlight condition.
A comprehensive parametric study is provided to evaluate the system performance by changing the key vari­
ables. The numerical results demonstrate that increasing the pressure ratio from 6 to18 causes 3.3% leads to an
increase in system efficiencies and minimum total products cost experiences at the pressure ratio of 12.6.
Additionally, as the superheating degree increases from 0 to 10 K, the energy efficiency decreases but the exergy
efficiency increases. When the ammonia concentration at the rectifier exit is increased from 0.965 to 0.995, the
energy efficiency increases 5%, the exergy efficiency has a decreasing trend from 28% to 25.9%, and the min­
imum total products cost is 131.2 $/GJ. Furthermore, the exergy efficiency gains its maximum, the energy ef­
ficiency has a minimum value, and the total products cost grows with higher values of the minimum approach
temperature. Finally, the system is optimized under four different scenarios to identify its best operating con­
dition in each condition: three single-objective and one multi-objective optimization cases. The results of the
multi-objective optimization are trade-offs between the ones for single-objective optimization cases. In this case,
the net power of 12 MW, cooling capacity of 15.74 kW, and the freshwater of 4.72 kg/s are attainable.

health issues. On the other hand, the efficiency of conventional fossil

fuel combustion systems is as low as 30–40%. This means that nearly
1. Introduction two-thirds of the latent energy of the fuel is wasted at various stages of
extraction, operation, distribution, and consumption, which is an un­
The use of energy is inextricably linked to human well-being and is desirable issue. For these reasons, researchers in the scientific and in­
the driving force behind the economic development in all countries. dustrial fields are seeking solutions that, while free from the problems of
World energy consumption is expected to increase by more than 20% fossil fuels, are able to provide a sustainable and permanent energy
until 2040 [1]. Currently, this growing energy demand is met by demand of the international community in all points [3]. Therefore, it
increasing the use of fossil energy resources, so that, the fossil fuels seems that the use of new efficient systems such as multigeneration
account for nearly 80% of global energy consumption [2]. The rapid systems as well as renewable energy will be decisive in solving this
growth of energy demand and the major share of fossil fuels in supplying problem [4].
energy in various sectors, have caused a decrease in fossil fuel reserves, Generating two or more different forms of useful products by means
rising prices, environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (M. Mohammadpourfard).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114324
Received 6 April 2021; Accepted 22 May 2021
Available online 29 May 2021
0196-8904/© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Nomenclature s Specific entropy (kJ/kg.K)

T Temperature (K)
A Surface area (m2) t Time (s)
Aa Aperture surface (m2) U Overall heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)
c Cost per exergy unit ($/GJ) V Volume (m3)
Ċ Cost rate ($/hr) Ẇ Power (kW)
cp Specific heat capacity (kJ/kgK) x Ammonia concentration
CRF Capital recovery factor y Mole fraction
CST Cold storage tank Z Component capital cost ($)
d Diameter (m) Ż Capital cost rate ($/hr)
ΔTpinch Minimum approach temperature in the heat exchangers
(K) Greek Symbols
ΔTsupheat Superheating degree in the superheater (K) φ Maintenance factor
η Energy efficiency
Ė Exergy rate (kW)
σ Stefan-Boltzmann constant (W/m2K)
ech Standard chemical exergy of species (kJ/kmol)
ε Exergy efficiency
f Friction factor
λ Mean free path between collisions of a molecule (cm)
Gb Solar radiation (W/m2)
ρ Density (kg/m3)
gi Glass cover inner surface
go Glass cover outer surface Subscripts
h Specific enthalpy (kJ/kg) 0 Environmental condition
HST Hot storage tank 1,2,3, … State points
HTF Heat transfer fluid a Air
ir Interest rate (%) ch Chemical
k Thermal conductivity (W/mK) col Collector
L Length (m) cond Conduction
ṁ Mass flow rate (kg/s) conv Convection
N System operating hours in a year D Destruction
n System lifetime (year) e Outlet
P Pressure (bar) f Fluid
pi Receiver pipe inner surface i Inlet
po Receiver pipe outer surface k Kth component
Pr Prandtl number ph Physical
PTC Parabolic trough collector q Heat
Q̇ Heat transfer rate (kW) rad Radiation
r Radius (m) S Sky
R Universal gas constant (kJ/kgK) ST Storage tank
Re Reynolds number Tot Total
rp Pressure ratio

of one primary energy source is called multigeneration. Products of a generation systems one of the main choices for solving the energy
multi-generation system can include electricity, heating, refrigeration, crisis in the world.
hot water, drinking water, and hydrogen [5]. In multi-generation, less According to the World Energy Agency, the amount of energy pro­
fuel is used than in separate production of the same products [6]. As a duced by renewable sources was about 7% of the total energy in the
result, these systems have high efficiencies, up to 80% and even higher world in year 2008 and this amount is expected to reach 22% in year
[7]. In addition, fuel costs are reduced and fossil fuel sources can be used 2035. Currently, about 16% of the world’s final energy consumption is
more efficiently in a multi-generation system [8]. Regardless of the from renewable energy sources [14]. In many countries, efforts are
disturbances that may occur in the system, multi-generation systems being made to reduce renewable energy cost and the dependence on
provide the required energy with high quality [9]. Because multi- fossil fuels by changing policies, proper planning, and supporting related
generation systems burn less fuel per unit of produced energy, less researches. Solar energy is the largest source of renewable energy in the
pollutants are released into the atmosphere. Reducing pollutants makes world and the main source of all energy on the earth. The hourly light
it easier to achieve climatic and environmental goals [10]. Also, due to energy that the sun emits to the earth is more than the total energy
heat recovery, less losses occur in these systems [11]. Due to the high consumed by the earth’s inhabitants during a year. To take advantage of
efficiency of multi-generation systems, in addition to providing energy this resource, one must find a way to convert its scattered energy into
security, performance independence is also provided in relation to un­ high-efficiency, low-cost energy. The use of solar energy is one of the
stable prices in the energy market and the global grid [12]. Operating best ways of electricity supply and production compared to other models
costs, rate of return, and time taken to build and complete a multi- of energy transmission to villages and remote areas of the country in
generation system are lower than separate energy generation systems. terms of cost, transportation, maintenance, and similar factors. Various
The primary energy source in multi-generation systems includes a wide applications can be considered for solar energy, including: electricity
range, which can be fossil fuels or renewable energies [8]. By providing generation, desalination, drying, cooking, lighting, hot water, cooling,
more on-site integration and the use of renewable energy, energy heating, and air conditioning [15]. With about 300 sunny days a year,
diversification is increased and shorter transmission lines and fewer Iran is one of the best countries in the world in terms of solar energy
distribution units are used [13]. These advantages make the multi- potential. In some parts of the country, solar radiation energy has been

2
L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Table 1
Literature review of the power, cooling, and freshwater trigeneration systems.
Reference Energy source Proposed system products

cooling power water

Sahoo et al. [20] Solar energy and biomass preheating the working fluid by solar radiation * * *
Sahoo et al. [21] vapor compression cycle based on biomass-fueled boiler to generate electricity
Solar energy and biomassRecovery of steam heat from steam turbine for desalination by
humidification-dehumidification
Ali et al. [22] Solar energy Absorption refrigeration cycle based on solar radiation to produce refrigeration and * × *
Alsaman et al. [23] drinking water by humidification-dehumidification
Elattar et al. [24]
Fouda et al. [25]
Ibrahim et al. [26]
Su et al. [27]
Azhar et al. [28] Solar energy, geothermal, Generation of electricity based on ocean heat transfer cycle (temperature difference of * * *
and ocean heat ocean waves at different depths is used as a heat source)
Using the output water from the boiler of the ocean heat cycle as the gross input water to the
multistage flash process
Three-stage flash based on solar radiation and geothermal energy
Absorption refrigeration cycle
Sadeghi et al. [29] Hot environmental air and Production of superheated steam by hot air in the generator heat exchanger × * *
natural gas Generation of electricity by superheated steam output from heat exchanger and input to
steam turbine
Heat recovery of the fluid leaving the steam turbine and also for desalination by
humidification-dehumidification
Hogerwaard et al. Solar energy combined Brayton and Rankine cycle * * *
[30] Multi-stage flash
Absorption refrigeration cycle
Giwa et al. [31] Solar energy Power generation using photovoltaic cells * * *
Kabeel et al. [32] Humidification-dehumidification cycle based on solar heat absorbed by collectors
Heat transfer from indoor air to refrigerant in a heat exchanger to cool the air as well as
preheating the refrigerant before absorbing solar heat to increase the heat source of the
humidification-dehumidification cycle
Jabari et al. [33] Solar energy and Stirling cycle to generate electricity * * *
Jabari et al. [34] environmental air Air-to-air heat pump cycle to generate cold and heat
Jabari et al. [35]
Jabari et al. [36]
Almutairi et al. [37] Hot environmental air and Brayton-Rankin Combined Cycle Power Plant × * *
Catrini et al. [38] natural gas Distillation, absorption refrigeration cycle and mechanical vapor compression
Gadhamshetty et al.
[39]
Antipova et al. [40] Solar energy Power generation by the solar Rankine cycle and photovoltaic cellsReverse osmosis × * *
Delgado-Torres (photovoltaic cells provide the heat needed to produce superheated steam in the Rankine
et al. [41] cycle, and the production capacity of the Rankine cycle will be used to supply electricity to
Gökçek [42] the reverse osmosis process)
Nafey et al. [43] .
Rashidi et al. [44]
Salcedo et al. [45]

measured above 7 to 8 kWh/m2, but the average solar radiation energy change, declining rainfall, frequent droughts, pollution of freshwater
in Iran is about 4.5 kWh/m2 [16]. Hence, the use of solar energy is one of resources by industrial waste and sewage, changing water consumption
the most important factors that should be considered in this country. patterns, and higher living standards are also increasing the water
The origin and survival of human life depends on the existence of problems. For these reasons, the shortage of drinking water has become
water. According to historical evidence, important civilizations have a serious problem in many parts of the world, especially in hot and dry
been created alongside vast water resources. Water is one of the most areas. Iran, like the rest of the world, is struggling with a shortage of
abundant compounds on earth, covering its three-quarters. However, drinking water. This shortage peaks in the southern regions of the
97% of the available water is saline in the oceans and seas and only 3% is country in summer. The crisis has led scientists to design seawater
freshwater. Nearly 70% of this 3% of fresh water is frozen in glaciers and desalination systems for potable water production. Desalination refers to
polar regions. 30% of all fresh water is in the form of deep and inac­ the process of removing or reducing the amount of salt from seawater or
cessible underground reservoirs. Lakes and rivers account for less than brackish water and preparing it for drinking purposes. The purpose of a
1% of all freshwater [17]. This small amount often meets the needs of desalination system is to purify seawater, and supply water with toler­
humans, plants and animals. The only almost inexhaustible source of able salinity range [19]. Desalination processes require a significant
water is the oceans and seas, which have high salinity. According to the amount of energy in the form of heat or electricity to separate salt from
definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), the acceptable the seawater. Depending on their design and size, these systems are able
salinity of drinking water is 500 ppm and in certain cases 1000 ppm. to work with different types of energy sources, whether wasted or
Most water sources in the world have salinity up to 10,000 ppm. The renewable, independently or as part of a multigeneration system. If fossil
salinity of seawater is usually around 35,000 to 45,000 ppm and con­ fuels are used to power desalination systems, it can lead to irretrievable
tains all soluble salts [18]. Excess salinity changes the taste of water, environmental damage and high costs. Production of drinking water
causes digestive problems and other diseases, and is undesirable. Despite using renewable energy-based desalination systems is a suitable solution
the importance of the role of water in all aspects of human life, rapid for the drinking water shortages in the areas far from the main electricity
industrial growth and the explosion of the global population have and heating networks. Although these new systems are not comparable
increased domestic, agricultural and industrial water needs. Climate in cost and performance to conventional ones, they are a good option for

3
L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of the solar-based proposed power, cooling, and freshwater production system.

some specific situations in the near future. Therefore, due to its prox­ system is also used to ensure the stable operation of the system. A
imity to marine resources and the abundant benefit of solar radiation, simultaneous power and cooling production system, named as Goswami
the southern regions of Iran are a good place to install and use the cycle, is combined with solar energy collecting system, molten salt heat
seawater desalination systems using the solar energy. storage tanks, and multistage flash desalination system. The system is
On the other hand, the southern cities of Iran need a high amount of simply designed in such a way that it makes the best use of heat and
electrical power to provide adequate cooling in summer, so that the production capacity and works with the least amount of pollutant per
amount of electricity consumption in tropical regions is about 30% of unit of produced energy. Necessary relations for thermodynamic and
the annual peak load. This leads to an increase in the demanded load economic modeling of the system are written along with optimization
from the main electricity network and the power outage in some areas. equations. The operating condition of the proposed system is considered
Most of the country’s electricity comes from the combustion of fossil in accordance with the worst weather condition of a city located in the
fuels. In recent years, a variety of refrigeration systems have been pro­ south of the country in summer, which despite the adequate access to
posed that can produce the desired cooling with the effluent heat of solar energy is facing water and energy crisis. In order to ensure the
other systems and as a bottoming cycle in the multigeneration systems. accuracy of modeling in this paper, the results of Goswami cycle and the
Therefore, considering the above problems on one hand and the abun­ solar energy collection system are validated with the information in the
dance of solar renewable energy and proximity to the sea on the other available references. Then, the performance and efficiency of the system
hand, it seems that using solar energy to produce electricity, refrigera­ are evaluated under different conditions. In the next step, these results
tion, and drinking water at the same time is one of the best options to are carefully interpreted and evaluated to determine the effect of
solve the mentioned crisis in the southern regions of Iran. changes in the values of important variables on the system performance.
So far, valuable studies have been conducted in the field of design Finally, according to the defined criteria, the optimal conditions for the
and analysis of simultaneous electricity, drinking water, and refrigera­ system performance are determined under four optimization cases.
tion production systems using the renewable energy. Table 1 summa­
rizes the available papers in this regard. As it can be seen in this table, 2. System description
most of the systems are based on solar, because most of the areas facing
the problem of freshwater shortage have hot and dry climates, and are The proposed system for trigeneration of electric power, refrigera­
rich in solar radiation, so they are able to run a small solar power plant tion, and drinking water is shown in Fig. 1. This system consists of the
for local usage. following three main parts:
According to Table 1, although various researches have been pre­
sented in the field of renewable energy-based systems for electric power, • The first part, which provides the required heat of the whole system,
refrigeration, and freshwater production, but not such a trigeneration includes the solar energy collector plates as well as the hot and cold
system using solar energy with heat storage option for a city in the south tanks of molten salt. The sun’s rays are collected by plates embedded
of Iran in the worst weather conditions and the maximum load con­ in the environment. Due to the fact that the sunlight intensity is not
sumption has been designed, studied, and optimized. In this research, the same at all hours of the day, a molten salt heat storage system is
this important issue has been addressed. In this regard, according to the used to ensure the system continuous operation. The molten salt in
characteristics and requirements of the southern regions of Iran, a new the cold tank is heated by solar energy and then enters the system
system of electricity, drinking water, and cooling generation based on through the hot tank to provide the essential energy in the super­
solar energy is designed. Due to the fact that the amount of sunlight heater, boiler and heat exchanger. Finally, the molten salt flow
varies at different times of the day and night, a molten salt heat storage returns to the cold tank with lower temperature.

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Table 2
Exergoeconomic analysis of the system components.
Component Exergoeconomic equation Auxiliary relation Purchase cost

Solar collector [50] Ċ6 + Ċq + ŻPTC = Ċ1 cq = 0 $

ZPTC = 150
m2
Cold tank [50] Ċ5 + ŻCST = Ċ6 – $
ZCST = 35
kWh
Hot tank [50] Ċ1 + ŻHST = Ċ2 – $
ZHST = 35
kWh
Solution pump [51,52] Ċ8 = Ċ7 + Ċw,SolutionPump + ŻSolutionPump Ċw,SolutionPump Ċw,Turbine
=
ẆSolutionPump ẆTurbine ZSolutionPump =

⎛ ⎞0.26
( )
⎜ẆSolutionPump ⎟ 1 − ηSolutionPump 0.5
2100⎝ ⎠
10 ηSolutionPump
( )
Rectifier [47,51,52] Ċ19 + Ċ11 + Ċ12 = Ċ8A + Ċ10 + Ċ11 − Ċ10 Ċ12 − Ċ10 Ċ8A Ċ19 ARectifier 0.6
= = ,c8 = ZRectifier = 17000
ŻRectifier Ė11 − Ė10 Ė12 − Ė10 Ė8A Ė19 100
c8A
Mixer [53] Ċ9 = Ċ11 + Ċ19 + Ċ20 + ŻMixer – ZMixer = 0
( )
Boiler [47,51,52] Ċ10 + Ċ16 + Ċ4 = Ċ9 + Ċ3 + ŻBoiler Ċ10 − Ċ9 Ċ16 − Ċ9 Ċ3 Ċ4 ABoiler 0.6
= , = ZBoiler = 17500
Ė10 − Ė9 Ė16 − Ė9 Ė3 Ė4 100 ( )
Recovery heat exchanger Ċ17 + Ċ20 = Ċ8B + Ċ16 + Ċ16 Ċ17 ARecoveryHeatExchanger 0.6
[47,51,52] = , c8 = c8B ZRecover yHeatExchanger = 12000
ŻRecoveryHeatExchanger Ė16 Ė17 100
Expansion valve [54,55] Ċ18 = Ċ17 + ŻExpansionValve – ZExpansionValve = 0
( )
Superheater [47,51,52] Ċ13 + Ċ3 = Ċ12 + Ċ2 + ŻSuperheater Ċ2 Ċ3 ASuperheater 0.6
= ZSuperheater = 16000
Ė2 Ė3 ( 100 )
Turbine [56] Ċ14 + Ċw,Turbine = Ċ13 + ŻTurbine Ċ13 Ċ14
= ZTurbine = 1.95 225 +170ẆTurbine
Ė13 Ė14 ( )
Evaporator [47,51,52] Ċ15 + Ċ30 = Ċ14 + Ċ29 + ŻEvaporator Ċ14 Ċ15 AEvaporator 0.6
= ,c29 = 0 ZEvaporator = 16000
Ė14 Ė15 ( 100 )
Absorber [47,51,52] Ċ7 + Ċ32 = Ċ15 + Ċ18 + Ċ31 + ŻAbsorber Ċ7 Ċ15 + Ċ18 AAbsorber 0.6
= ,c31 = 0 ZAbsorber = 16500
Ė7 Ė15 + Ė18 ⎛ 100 ⎞0.26
Water pump [51,52] Ċ22 = Ċ21 + Ċw,WaterPump + ŻWaterPump Ċw,WaterPump Ċw,Turbine ( )
= c21 = 0 ⎜ẆWaterPump ⎟ 1 − ηWaterPump 0.5
ẆWaterPump ẆTurbine ZWaterPump = 2100⎝ ⎠
10 ηWaterPump
( )
Auxiliary conditioner Ċ23 + Ċ26 = Ċ22 + Ċ25 + Ċ25 Ċ26 AAuxiliaryConditioner 0.6
[47,51,52]
= ZAuxiliaryConditioner = 8000
ŻAuxiliaryConditioner Ė25 Ė26 100
( )
Heat exchanger [47,51,52] Ċ24 + Ċ5 = Ċ23 + Ċ24 + ŻHeatExchanger Ċ4 Ċ5 AHeatExchanger 0.6
= ZHeatExchanger = 17000
Ė4 Ė5 ( )3 100
Separator [47] Ċ25 + Ċ27 = Ċ24 + ŻSeparator Ċ24 Ċ27
= ZSeparator = 0.98 ṁ25
Ė24 Ė27 ( )
Heat recoverer [47,51,52] Ċ28 + Ċ34 = Ċ27 + Ċ33 + ŻHeatRecoverer Ċ33 Ċ34 AHeatRecoverer 0.6
= ZHeatRecoverer = 17000
Ė33 Ė34 100

• The second part of the proposed system is called Goswami cycle, outputs are freshwater and brine. Seawater is first pumped to a
which is actually a combination of Kalina and the absorption higher pressure and preheated using an auxiliary conditioner. It then
refrigeration cycles, and can generate both electricity and refriger­ receives its main heat from the molten salt and separates into two
ation. The working fluid of this cycle is a mixture of water and streams of pure drinking water and brine. The flow of freshwater is
ammonia. This cycle does not require high-temperature heat source, transferred after its temperature in the auxiliary conditioner de­
and can operate with the dissipated heat of other systems or energy creases. The brine stream is returned to the sea after exchanging heat
from renewable sources [46]. As shown in Fig. 1, the aqueous in the heat recovery unit.
ammonia solution leaves the absorber and is pumped to a higher
pressure before splitting into 8A and 8B streams. Stream 8A is pre­ 3. Modeling equations
heated in the rectifier and stream 8B is transferred to the recovery
heat exchanger to recover the energy of the weak solution (solution Considering each component of the system as a control volume in a
with lower ammonia concentration) coming out of the boiler. The steady-state condition, mass and concentration equations, energy and
condensed solution leaving the rectifier (stream 11) is mixed with exergy balances, and economic relations are presented. Finally, the
the other two streams, streams 19 and 20, and enters the boiler. The thermodynamic and economic characteristics of all existing flows and
solution stream in the boiler is heated by a stream of molten salt and also the system performance are defined. Following assumptions are
is divided into two streams: stream 10 with the higher concentration applied to simplify the simulation process:
of ammonia and stream 16 with the lower concentration of
ammonia. The weak solution leaving the boiler is returned to the • The solar collector and molten salt heat storage tanks work under
absorber after passing through the recovery heat exchanger and its unsteady-state condition, but other components operate at steady-
expansion valve. The steam coming out of the boiler is heated by state condition.
using the rectifier and then receiving heat from the molten salt in the • Changes in kinetic and potential energies and exergies are neglected.
superheater. This stream expands in the turbine to generate electrical • The heat loss to the surroundings from the system components is
power. Finally, the low temperature stream from the turbine is used neglected except for the solar collector and molten salt storage tanks.
to produce refrigeration in the evaporator. • The turbine and pumps have isentropic efficiencies.
• The third part of the system is a multistage flash seawater desali­ • The boiling point elevation in seawater desalination system is
nation device that supplies drinking water for domestic applications. assumed to be 0.6.
The inputs of this system are sea water and solar energy and its

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Table 3
Thermal resistance terms for the solar collector [57,58]
Heat transfer term Equation
[ ( ) ]− 2
q̇HTF− pi,conv 1.82log Redpi − 1.64
( )
8Prf Redpi − 1000 ( ) ( )
Prf 0.11 kf ( )
√̅̅̅̅̅( ) πdpi Tpi − Tf
f pi 2/3 Prpi dpi
1 + 12.7 Pr − 1
( 8 )f
q̇pi− po,cond 2πkpipe Tpi − Tpo
( )
dpo
ln
( dpi )
q̇po− gi,rad σπdpo T4po − T4gi
( )
1 dpo 1 − εgi
+
εpo εgi dgi
q̇po− gi,conv kstd ( )
πdpo ( ) Tpo − Tgi
dpo dpo
( ) + bλ +1
dgi dgi
2ln
( dpo )
q̇gi− go,cond 2πkg Tgi − Tgo
( )
dgo
ln
d(gi )
q̇go− s,rad σεgo πdgo T4go − T4s
q̇go− a,conv ( )1
n Pra 4
ka ( )
πdgo CRem
dgo Pra Tgo − Ta
dgo Prgo

these two quantities indicates the amount of exergy destruction within

the control volume due to irreversibilities. Thus, unlike mass and en­
Fig. 2. Diagram of the solar collector; (a) cross sectional view of the receiver ergy, exergy is maintained only in reversible processes, and is destroyed
pipe, (b) thermal resistance model [57] in real processes by the irreversibilities that occur within them [47].

3.1. Thermodynamic analysis 3.2. Exergoeconomic analysis

The mass and ammonia concentration balances for a device in steady Exergoeconomics is a type of economic analysis that uses a combi­
state are as follows: nation of exergy and economic principles to analyze the system per­
∑
ṁi =
∑
ṁe (1) formance. In this analysis, instead of mass or energy flow, cost is
considered for each exergy flow, and as a result, the cost of products and
∑ ∑ exergy destruction in the system components are determined. Therefore,
ṁi xi = ṁe xe (2)
the exergoeconomic analysis provides a better basis for designing and
Ignoring the potential and kinetic energy changes, and under steady- optimizing the energy systems. The exergoeconomic balance for a
state conditions, the law of conservation of energy for a control volume steady-state control volume is as follows [48]:
is written as: ∑ ∑
Ċe + Ċw = Ċi + Ċq + Ż (8)
∑ ∑
Q̇k -Ẇk = ṁe he - ṁi hi (3)
Ċ = cĖ (9)
Exergy is defined as the maximum useful work that can be achieved
during the process of changing the system from an original state to its The sum of the costs related to the outlet exergy flows is equal to the
dead state, provided that the system only interacts with the environ­ sum of the costs of the inlet exergy streams and the expenditure costs, as
ment. Also, exergy is the least work required to bring the system from stated in (8) and (9). The expenditure cost is the total cost of investing,
the dead state to the desired state. Exergy analysis is useful in deter­ operating and maintaining for a control volume [49]:
mining the location, reason and extent of energy losses and helps opti­ Z × CRF × φ
mize systems for best usage of limited energy resources. In the absence Ż = (10)
N
of electrical, magnetic, nuclear, and surface stress effects, and excluding
kinetic and potential exergies, the exergy of any stream is the sum of its ir (1 + ir )n
CRF = (11)
physical and chemical exergies [47]: (1 + ir )n − 1

Ė = Ėph + Ėch (4) The exergoeconomic relation, auxiliary equations, and equipment
cost for each component are summarized in Table 2.
∑ [( ) ( )]
Ėph = ṁi hi − h0i − T0 si − s0i (5)
∑ ∑ 3.3. Thermal simulation of solar energy collector
Ėch = ṁi ech
i + RT0 ṁi lnyi (6)
The solar energy collecting system consists of a parabolic reflector
In the steady state, the exergy balance of a control volume is defined
and a metal tube with a glass cover to reduce the heat loss along the focal
as following [47]:
line of the receiver. The sunlight reaches the parabolic reflector, which
∑( T0
) ∑ ∑ reflects parallel rays to the receiver tube. Then, this solar radiation is
ĖD = 1− Q̇j − Ẇcv + Ėi − Ėe (7)
Tj converted into energy by transferring heat to the flow of molten salt
inside the tube. To simulate the thermal performance of the solar
The exergy balance equation indicates that the exergy rate entering a
collection system, the thermal resistance method introduced by [57] is
device is higher than the output exergy rate, and the difference between
used. A cross-sectional view of the collection system, including the

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Table 4
Thermodynamic properties of the streams in Goswami cycle, present work versus ref. [46,62]
Stream Mass flow rate (kg/s) Ammonia concentration Pressure (bar) Temperature (◦ C)
no.
Present Ref. Ref. Present Ref. Ref. Present Ref. Ref. Present Ref. Ref.
work [46] [62] work [46] [62] work [46] [62] work [46] [62]

7 1 1 1 0.437 0.437 0.437 1.5 1.5 1.5 9.72 9.72 9.72

8 1 1 1 0.437 0.437 0.437 20.5 20.5 20.5 9.907 10.26 9.87
8A 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.437 0.437 0.437 20.5 20.5 20.5 9.907 10.26 9.87
8B 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.437 0.437 0.437 20.5 20.5 20.5 9.907 10.26 9.87
9 1.01 1.01 1.01 0.437 0.437 0.437 20.5 20.5 20.5 107.4 106.72 103.89
10 0.1503 0.18 0.18 0.9203 0.917 0.923 20.5 20.5 20.5 125 125 125
11 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.4277 0.418 0.404 20.5 20.5 20.5 108.5 108.5 108.5
12 0.1403 0.17 0.17 0.9613 0.96 0.963 20.5 20.5 20.5 108.5 108.5 108.5
13 0.1403 0.17 0.17 0.9613 0.96 0.963 20.5 20.5 20.5 108.5 108.5 108.5
14 0.1403 0.17 0.17 0.9613 0.96 0.963 1.5 1.5 1.5 6.866 7.47 6.74
15 0.1403 0.17 0.17 0.9613 0.96 0.963 1.5 1.5 1.5 12 12 12
16 0.8597 0.83 0.83 0.3518 0.33 0.328 20.5 20.5 20.5 125 125 125
17 0.8597 0.83 0.83 0.3518 0.33 0.328 20.5 20.5 20.5 14.91 14.86 14.87
18 0.8597 0.83 0.83 0.3518 0.33 0.328 1.5 1.5 1.5 15.34 14.86 15.30
19 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.437 0.437 0.437 20.5 20.5 20.5 111.3 117.51 110
20 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.437 0.437 0.437 20.5 20.5 20.5 107.1 106.16 103.48

receiver tube and the glass cover, is shown in Fig. 2a. Also, a schematic
diagram of the heat resistance model is depicted in Fig. 2b. The equa­ Q̇cooling = ṁ15 h15 − ṁ14 h14 (20)
tions required to calculate each of the thermal transfer terms are listed in
Table 3. Q̇freshwater = ṁ26 h26 − ṁ21 h21 (21)
Finally, the useful energy given to the molten salt flow can be As it is well-known, solar energy-based systems have transient
calculated by applying the energy balance for the receiver [57]: behavior. However, the molten salt heat storage makes the energy sta­
( ) bility feasible through the charge/discharge cycles. Hence, for simpli­
Q̇u = q̇po,SolAbs + q̇go,SolAbs − q̇heatloss Lcol (12) fying the calculation in this paper, energy and exergy efficiencies are
defined as average daily terms:
∑24
q̇heatloss = q̇go− + q̇go− (13) Ẇnet + Q̇cooling + Q̇freshwater
(22)
a,conv s,rad
η = t=1 ∑24
This useful absorbed energy increases the temperature of the molten t=1 Q̇solar,t

salt: ∑24
t=1 Ẇnet + Ėcooling + Ėfreshwater
( ) ε= (23)
Q̇u = ṁf cp,f Tfo − Tfi (14) ∑24
t=1 Ėsolar,t

Q̇solar and Ėsolar are the overall energy that is absorbed from the sun in
3.4. Thermal simulation of molten salt heat storage tanks
the collector and its related exergy, respectively:
( ))
The hot and cold molten salt storage tanks are considered to be ho­ (
1 T0
)4 (
4 T0
mogeneous and completely mixed to provide the necessary energy to the Ėsolar = Gb Aa 1 + − (24)
3 Tsun 3 Tsun
system when solar energy is insufficient [59]. Therefore, a uniform
temperature, which changes only with time, exists for each tank, which Total exergy destruction rate is the sum of all components’ exergy
is determined by the following energy balance relations [50,60]: destruction rates.
[( ) ( ) ] dT ∑
ρVcp l + ρVcp ST = Q̇in − Q̇loss (15) ĖD,tot = ĖD,k (25)
dt k

Total products cost is the sum of the power, cooling and freshwater
Q̇loss = (UA)ST (TST − T0 ) (16)
generation costs.
( ) ( )
ki 1 k ( )
(UA)ST = ( ) (2πrST1 LST ) + i 2πr2ST1 (17) ĊẆnet ĊQ̇cooling ĊQ̇freshwater
rST1 δi ctot = + + (26)
ln rrST2
ST1
Ẇnet Q̇cooling Q̇freshwater

[ ]
Δt 3.6. Optimization
TST,new = TST + ( )
( ) Q̇in − Q̇loss (18)
ρVcp l + ρVcp ST
Optimization is finding the best answer among the existing situations
The time interval in this plan is one hour. The properties of the for a system. Optimization of engineering systems to minimize cost or
molten salt and the tanks remain constant during this time period. maximize profit has grown a lot in recent years. Optimization problems
can be divided into two categories in terms of the number of objective
3.5. Performance criteria functions: single-objective optimization and multi-objective optimiza­
tion. In single-objective optimization problems, the goal is to optimize
The net generated power, cooling capacity, and freshwater are only one performance indicator, the minimum or maximum value of
calculated as following: which fully reflects the quality of the obtained response. But in some
cases, it is not possible to give an answer to an optimization problem
Ẇnet = ẆTurbine − ẆSolutionPump − ẆWaterPump (19)
simply by relying on one indicator. In this type of problem, several
objective functions should be defined and optimized the value of all of

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Table 5
Validation of Goswami cycle modeling.
Performance criteria Ref. [46] Present work

Turbine power (kW) 47.96 44.18

Pump power (kW) 3 2.771
Cooling load (kW) 3.85 3.361
Superheater duty (kW) 0 0
Energy efficiency (%) 14 16.18

Table 6
Calidation of the solar energy collecting system.
Radiation Ambient Inlet Outlet temperature of heat
intensity temperature temperature of transfer fluid (◦ C)
(W/m2) (◦ C) heat transfer
Present Ref. Relative
fluid (◦ C)
work [58] error (%)

933.7 21.2 102.2 123.7 121.65 1.68 Fig. 5. The electricity demand of the case study during the sample day.
968.2 22.4 151 170 170.15 0.088
982.3 24.3 197.5 218.5 216.51 0.92
909.5 26.2 250.7 267.1 265.84 0.47
937.9 28.8 297.8 315.3 312.97 0.74 Table 7
Input data for the system modeling [46,47,57,58,62]
Parameter Value

Ambient pressure (bar) 1

Ambient temperature (◦ C) 25
Pressure ratio for pump and turbine 10
Pressure loss in boiler (bar) 0.4
Pressure loss in superheater (bar) 0.2
Ammonia concentration at the rectifier exit 0.98
Boiler pressure (bar) 1.5
Absorber temperature 9.72
Pump and turbine adiabatic efficiency (%) 85
Superheating degree (◦ C) 0
Minimum approach temperature in heat exchangers (◦ C) 5
Interest rate (%) 12
Annual operating hours (hr/year) 8760
Year life 20
Operating and maintenance factor 1.06
Collector apparatus width (m) 5
Collector length (m) 7.8
Receiver outer diameter (m) 0.07
Receiver inner diameter (m) 0.066
Fig. 3. The daily variation of the ambient temperature. Glass cover outer diameter (m) 0.0115
Glass cover inner diameter (m) 0.109
Receiver pipe thermal conductivity (W/mK) 54
Glass cover thermal conductivity (W/mK) 0.78
Glass cover emittance 0.86
Number of collectors 4

that are equally good and acceptable. Many methods have been pro­
posed so far to solve multi-objective optimization problems. One of the
most widely used methods in engineering optimization problems is the
use of genetic algorithms based on the theory of evolution. This theory is
based on the evolution of generations and states that the most
compatible members of the creatures survive over generations, and the
other members of that group are eliminated gradually. The nature of the
genetic algorithm is a kind of parallel search in the problem space. Due
to the competition of answers and the selection of the best from the
population, it will most likely reach the global optimal point [61].
First, the resultant equation system composed of mass, energy,
exergy, and exergoeconomic relations for all components is solved by
Fig. 4. The cooling demand changes during the sample day. Engineering Equations Solver (EES). Then, four cases of optimization
process are considered for the proposed system. The general algebraic
them at the same time. By using multi-objective optimization models, modeling system (GAMS) is used to solve the three single-objective
more than one possible answer to the problem is provided. Each of these optimization cases; energy efficiency maximization, exergy efficiency
answers will show the balance between the different objective functions. maximization, and total products cost minimization. Finally, exergy
Even for a simple multi-objective optimization problem, the probability efficiency and total products cost are selected as the two conflicting
of finding an optimal solution that optimizes all the objective functions objective functions for the multi-objective optimization process, which
is very low. In such a case, there will be Pareto front optimal solutions is performed by coupling EES and MATLAB softwares.

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig. 6. Temperatures of the molten salt storage tank and solar system outlet fluid.

Fig. 7. Received solar exergy and its exergy destruction rates.

3.7. Validation 4.1. Base case study

To validate the Goswami cycle modeling, the obtained results in this Fig. 6 demonstrates the temperature changes of the solar collector
paper are compared with the available data in Refs [46,62]. Comparison outlet fluid and the molten salt reservoir tank, which proves the positive
of the modeling results with the corresponding values in references effect of using the molten salt energy storage system in stabilizing the
[46,62] is shown in Tables 4 and 5. According to these tables, there is a energy source of the trigeneration system despite the drastic changes in
good agreement between the results of the present work and those of the ambient temperature and solar radiation intensity. During 7 to 19,
previous works. solar energy is stored in the molten salt tank and can be used at night if
Experimental results obtained in the Sandia National Laboratory needed.
(SNL) [58] are used to measure the accuracy of the designed simulation Fig. 7 shows the changes in the exergy rate of the received solar
model for the solar collector in this paper. In Table 6, the outlet tem­ radiation and the solar collector exergy destruction during 24 h. Ac­
perature of the heat transfer fluid for different radiation intensities in the cording to this figure, the values of both parameters reach their
present work are compared with the values in reference [58]. As shown maximum values around noon and are equal to zero at night, in accor­
in this table, there is a good agreement between these two results which dance with the pattern of the radiation intensity.
indicates high accurateness.

4. Results and discussion 4.2. Parametric study

The considered study case is a domestic building in the southern In this section, the effects on the system performance of varying some
region of Iran under hot summer condition, where the range of ambient key parameters are studied and the obtained results are presented in
temperature is between 22 and 39 ◦ C. Daily changes in air temperature, Figs. 8-11.
cooling, and power requirements are demonstrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5,
respectively. Also, Table 7 lists the necessary input data for modeling the 4.2.1. Goswami turbine pressure ratio
proposed trigeneration system. Fig. 8 shows the effect on the system performance of changing
Goswami turbine pressure ratio. As illustrated in Fig. 8a, the system

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig. 8. The effect of changing the turbine pressure ratio on the system performance.

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig. 9. Variation in the system performance versus ammonia concentration in the rectifier outlet.

pressure ratio has a significant effect on the system outputs. By about 3.3%. Therefore, it can be concluded that the effect of generated
increasing the pressure ratio from 5 to 14.5, the system electricity pro­ cooling and drinking water is greater than the negative effect of net
duction rate increases from 6.9 to 12.8 MW, since increasing the pres­ power production. Fig. 8d shows the effect of the system pressure ratio
sure provides higher production capacity in the turbine of the Goswami on the total exergy destruction rate. The least value of the total exergy
cycle. However, by increasing the pressure ratio up to more than 14.5, destruction, 81.74 MW, occurs at the pressure ratio of 15.7. The
this trend is reversed, because the Goswami cycle power consumption decreasing trend of exergy destruction is primarily due to the increase in
exceeds the turbine output power and reduces the net power output of the amount of the system outputs. Due to the decrease in the net power
the system. Also, the amount of generated refrigeration is directly of the system after a certain pressure ratio as shown in Fig. 8a, it can be
related to the increase in the pressure ratio and rises from 16 kW to 38 expected that the exergy destruction will also increase. As shown in
kW, which is due to the cooling of the evaporator inlet flow. Fig. 8b Fig. 8e, the pressure ratio has a significant effect on the total products
depicts that the mass flow rate of drinking water increases with turbine cost and care must be taken in selecting the value of this parameter. By
pressure ratio, which is due to the increase in the available heat for the increasing the pressure ratio from 6 to 12.6, the total products cost is
seawater desalination system. Fig. 8c demonstrates the changes in the reduced by 10.38%. This is due to the increase in the value of the useful
system energy and exergy efficiencies with the turbine pressure ratio. products generated in the system, which reduces their costs. A pressure
With increasing system pressure ratio, both efficiencies increase by ratio higher than 12.6 increases the cost of producing system products.

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig.10. Effect of superheating degree on the proposed system.

4.2.2. Ammonia concentration at the rectifier exit not the same. As x12 increases, the system’s energy efficiency increases,
Fig. 9 depicts the effects of different values of the ammonia con­ but its exergy efficiency decreases. This can be explained if Fig. 9a and
centration at the rectifier exit on the system operation. According to 9b are considered as well: In the case of energy efficiency, the increasing
Fig. 9a, the cooling capacity is directly related to this parameter, because trend of refrigeration and freshwater generation overcomes the reduc­
by increasing x12 the flow rate of the refrigerant in the evaporator, and tion of net power output and thus, energy efficiency increases. However,
as a result, the cooling generation of the system increase. However, the regarding the exergy efficiency, it should be noted that increasing the
net power production has a decreasing trend and decreases by 3.3 MW. exergy value in the cooling and drinking water cannot compensate the
Increasing x12 means reducing the turbine inlet temperature and its net power reduction, and therefore, the system exergy efficiency de­
output power, which has a negative effect on the system power. Ac­ creases. Fig. 9d shows that the x12 has a direct effect on the total exergy
cording to Fig. 9b, the effect of changing x12 is positive on the freshwater destruction, due to the reduction of the useful exergy produced by the
flow rate, mainly due to the increase of the seawater inlet to the desa­ system, and increases it from 82.5 to 83.8 MW. Finally, Fig. 9e displays
lination system due to the increase of its available heat. As demonstrated that with an increase of x12 the total products cost first reaches its lowest
in Fig. 9c, the effect of x12 on the system energy and exergy efficiencies is level at 131.2 $/GJ and then increases to 150 $/GJ.

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig. 11. The effect of variation in the minimum approach temperature of the heat exchangers on the system performance.

4.2.3. Superheating degree reversed and the rate of freshwater increases. Fig. 10c shows that as the
In Fig. 10a-e, the effect of superheating degree on the system is superheating degree increases, the energy efficiency decreases but the
illustrated. Fig. 10a shows that as the superheating degree increases, exergy efficiency increases. These trends are well understood by
both the system net output power and cooling generation reach their considering the explanations for Fig. 10a and 10b. According to Fig. 10d,
maximum values at specific values of the superheating degrees. In fact, increasing the superheating degree from 0 to 10 K leads to a decrease of
higher superheating degree means higher turbine inlet temperature, and 0.3 MW in the total exergy destruction. It should be noted that the
increased turbine production capacity as well as the evaporating ca­ reason for this reduction is the increase of useful output exergy leaving
pacity for refrigeration production. However, further superheating de­ the system. Fig. 10e shows the superheating degree effect on the total
gree will have a negative effect on the system, reducing its power and products cost. By increasing the superheating degree from 0 to 8.3 K, this
cooling outputs. The effect of the superheating degree on the drinking cost is reduced by 5.5 $/GJ.
water flow rate is shown in Fig. 10b, which, unlike the previous two
cases, has a decreasing-increasing trend. Higher superheating degree 4.2.4. Minimum approach temperature in the heat exchangers
requires more energy to enter the superheater, which is supplied by the Fig. 11 depict the variations in the system performance due to the
solar energy. So, the heat input of the desalination system and thus the change in the minimum approach temperature in the heat exchangers.
amount of produced water reduces. After a certain amount, this trend is As demonstrated in Fig. 11a, with increasing the minimum approach

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Table 8
The results of the optimization scenarios.

Goswami turbine pressure ratio 10 6.98 14.53 17.06 15.8

minimum approach temperature in heat exchangers (K) 5 3.596 14.71 3 10
superheating degree (K) 0 6.261 6.437 0.2495 4.5
ammonia concentration in the rectifier exit 0.98 0.992 0.9723 0.965 0.971
net output power (MW) 11.52 7.027 11.56 13.74 12
total exergy destruction (MW) 83.07 84.52 82.32 80.73 81.05
cooling capacity (kW) 26.8 25.19 10.1 23.81 15.74
freshwater mass flow rate (kg/s) 4.67 5.03 4.75 4.71 4.72

temperature, the output power first increases to 11.7 MW and then The results of the base case, three single-objective optimization
decreases, which is due to the changes in the turbine output electricity. cases, and the two-objective optimization case are summarized in
On the other hand, the amount of the system cooling is reduced by Table 8. According to this table, the exergy efficiency in the exergy
84.62%. Also as shown in Fig. 11b, the amount of freshwater has a optimization case is 27.28%, which is 3.29% and 6.28% higher than the
decreasing trend to reach its minimum value, then increases to reach the corresponding values for the energy efficiency and total products cost
amount of 4.9 kg/s. Furthermore, Fig. 11c indicates that the trend of single-objective optimization modes. In the case of the energy efficiency
changes in the energy efficiency is the opposite of the exergy effi­ optimization, the maximum value of this efficiency is obtained, which is
ciencies. With increasing minimum approach temperature, the energy 82.9%. The lowest total products cost is obtained by optimizing this
efficiency first decreases and then increases. While the exergy efficiency function and is 120.1 $/GJ. Also, the highest total products cost occurs
goes the opposite procedure. Moreover, Fig. 11d points out that as the in the case of the single-objective optimization of the exergy efficiency,
minimum approach temperature increases from 3 to 15 K, the total which is 158.3 $/GJ. On the other hand, the lowest exergy efficiency is
exergy destruction also increases during an increasing process from achieved in optimizing the total products cost. Therefore, it can be
83.02 to 83.04 MW. Finally, Fig. 11e shows that the total products cost concluded that the maximum exergy efficiency can be achieved by
increases from 129 to 167 $/GJ. choosing more efficient and consequently more expensive devices and
operating conditions, which leads to an increase in the system expenses.
4.3. Optimization results Also, reducing the generation cost of products by choosing cheaper
devices and conditions reduces the exergy efficiency.
The above parametric study shows that the system performance is Comparing the results of multi-objective optimization with the
affected by four variables: Goswami pump/turbine pressure ratio, single-objective optimization cases brings a significant point: the values
ammonia concentration in the rectifier exit, superheating degree, and obtained from the multi-objective optimization are between the results
the minimum approach temperature in the heat exchangers. The upper of each of the single-objective optimization cases. As stated in the pre­
and lower limits of the decision variables are as follows: vious paragraph, the exergy efficiency and the total products cost are
contradictory, and the optimization of each leads to the worsening of the
6 ≤ rp ≤ 18 (27)
other. Therefore, it is impossible to find an operating condition in which
both the exergy efficiency and the total products cost are at their best
0.965 ≤ x12 ≤ 0.995 (28)
values. Therefore, the working condition related to the multi-objective
0 ≤ ΔTsupheat ≤ 10 (29) optimization case is defined in such a way that both objective func­
tions are satisfied to some extent.
3 ≤ ΔTpinch ≤ 15 (30) Fig. 12 shows the exergy flow in the proposed system in the defined

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L. Khani et al. Energy Conversion and Management 242 (2021) 114324

Fig. 12. The exergy flow diagram of the proposed system at the multi-objective optimization condition.

condition of the multi-objective optimization. It demonstrates that the values of the superheating degree. Furthermore, the system energy
daily average input exergy of the system is 62.4 MW. efficiency and the total exergy destruction reduce, but the exergy
efficiency rises.
5. Conclusions • With increasing the minimum approach temperature, the net output
power and the exergy efficiency gain their maximum values at some
In this paper, a Goswami power and cooling cycle is combined with a point. On the other hand, the amount of freshwater and the energy
multi-stage flash seawater desalination system to design a solar-assisted efficiency have a decreasing-increasing trend. Additionally, the
power, cooling, and freshwater trigeneration process. Moreover, a cooling capacity is reduced, but the total exergy destruction and the
molten salt heat storage unit is integrated to guarantee the stable total products cost increase.
operation of the system despite the variable sunlight irradiance. The • The operating conditions of the multi-objective optimization are
thermodynamic and exergoeconomic principles are applied to the sys­ between the results of each single-objective optimization cases. This
tem components. The sensitivity of the system performance against the is due to the fact that the exergy efficiency and the total products cost
main key parameters is analyzed. Afterwards, three single-objective are opposing, and the optimization of each leads to the worsening of
optimization cases; i.e., energy efficiency maximization, exergy effi­ the other.
ciency maximization, and total products cost minimization as well as
one multi-objective optimization case are simulated to identify the best CRediT authorship contribution statement
operation scenarios with the following results:
Leyla Khani: Investigation, Writing - original draft, Validation.
• The system net power production rate maximizes, but the total Farkhondeh Jabari: Writing - review & editing, Validation. Mousa
exergy destruction rate and the total products cost minimizes at the Mohammadpourfard: Supervision, Conceptualization. Behnam
specific values of the turbine pressure ratio. Also, the cooling ca­ Mohammadi-ivatloo: Writing - review & editing.
pacity, the freshwater flow rate, and energy and exergy efficiencies
increase with increasing the turbine pressure ratio.
• The higher cooling capacity, freshwater flow rate, energy efficiency, Declaration of Competing Interest
and the total exergy destruction are achieved if the ammonia con­
centration at the rectifier exit is increased. However, the net power The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
output and the exergy efficiency are decreasing in this operating interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
condition. Finally, the total products cost is minimum at a specific the work reported in this paper.
x12.
• As the superheating degree increases, both the net output power and Acknowledgement
the cooling generation reach their maximum values, but the drinking
water flow rate and the total products cost is minimum at the specific The authors would like to express their gratitude to Iran National
Science Foundation (INSF) for supporting this research under grant

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number 98000787. [27] Su B, Han W, Jin H. An innovative solar-powered absorption refrigeration system
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