A generalized thermodynamic model is developed to describe combined cooling, heating, and power generating systems. This model is based on reversible power generation and refrigeration devices with practical, irreversible heat exchanger processes. It provides information on a system’s performance and allows easy comparisons among different systems at different loading conditions. Using both the first and second laws as well as the carbon dioxide production rate allows one to make a first-order system assessment of its energy usage and environment impact. The consistency of the exergy destruction rate and the first law performance ensures that the thermodynamic system boundaries are correctly and completely defined. The importance of the total thermal load to the required power ratio (HLRP) as a scaling parameter is demonstrated. A number of trends for limited conditions can be delineated even though the reported results confirmed that generalized trends are not identifiable because of the systems’ complexities. The results demonstrate that the combined vapor compression∕absorption refrigeration has higher first law utilization factors and lower carbon dioxide production rate for systems with high refrigeration to total thermal load ratios for all HLRP values. Fuel cell systems outperform engine systems for large refrigeration load applications. An illustration of combining these results to an economic analysis is presented.
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September 2006
Research Papers
Selection of Distributed Power-Generating Systems Based on Electric, Heating, and Cooling Loads
Gregory J. Kowalski
Gregory J. Kowalski is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University, Boston, MA. Kowalski received his BSME, MSME, and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is an ASME Fellow, former Chair of the Executive Committee of the Electronic and Photonic Division of ASME, a member of the Advanced Energy System Division of ASME, and a EAC of ABET evaluator.
Gregory J. Kowalski
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
e-mail: gkowal@coe.neu.edu
Northeastern University
, Boston, MA 02115
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Mansour Zenouzi
Mansour Zenouzi is a Professor of Electromechanical Engineering in the Department of Electronics and Mechanical at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Zenouzi received his BSME (1976) from Iran University of Science and Technology, MSME (1981) from Tufts University, and Ph.D. (1990) in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University. He is a registered Professional Engineer, TAC of ABET evaluator, member of ASHRAE, and active member of the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME.
Mansour Zenouzi
Electromechanical Engineering Program, Department of Electronics & Mechanical,
e-mail: zenouzim@wit.edu
Wentworth Institute of Technology
, Boston, MA 02115
Search for other works by this author on:
Gregory J. Kowalski
Gregory J. Kowalski is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University, Boston, MA. Kowalski received his BSME, MSME, and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is an ASME Fellow, former Chair of the Executive Committee of the Electronic and Photonic Division of ASME, a member of the Advanced Energy System Division of ASME, and a EAC of ABET evaluator.
Mansour Zenouzi
Mansour Zenouzi is a Professor of Electromechanical Engineering in the Department of Electronics and Mechanical at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Zenouzi received his BSME (1976) from Iran University of Science and Technology, MSME (1981) from Tufts University, and Ph.D. (1990) in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University. He is a registered Professional Engineer, TAC of ABET evaluator, member of ASHRAE, and active member of the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME.
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Sep 2006, 128(3): 168-178 (11 pages)
Published Online: March 8, 2006
Article history
Received:
February 2, 2005
Revised:
March 8, 2006
