Assessment of a novel cogeneration power and distilled water system driven by a solar pond

A novel cogeneration power and distilled water system is proposed in which the stored heat at the bottom of the salinity gradient solar pond is used to run a hybrid cycle. The hybrid cycle consists of an organic Rankine cycle, Kalina cycle, and reverse osmosis unit. The system is investigated from thermodynamic viewpoint. At first the system is analyzed in a steady state condition and the effect of key design parameters on the performance of the system is studied. Then, a case study based on the Bushehr port climate condition is conducted. The results showed that the exergy efficiency, distilled water rate, power production rate, and exergy destruction rate increase with solar pond area as well as solar irradiation. In addition, the results indicate that from May to August seasons are a promising period for running of the devised power and desalination system. Moreover, the maximum distilled water rate for Bushehr port corresponded to spring and summer seasons.

Keywords:

cogeneration system , solar pond , organic Rankine cycle , Kalina cycle , reverse osmosis