Design, exergy analysis, and optimization of a hydrogen generation/storage energy system with solar heliostat fields and absorption-ejector refrigeration system

In the current work, a solar-based energy plant that includes an organic Rankine cycle, an NH₃−LiNO₃ operated refrigeration system, reverse osmosis desalination, and hydrogen production device are integrated, modeled, and optimized. A parametric examination is designed with Matlab software to show the impact of varying primary system variables on outputs like system total energy, exergy efficiency, and total exergy output. All processes have been carried out for different working fluids, namely iso-butane, Propane, n-octane, and the results are compared. Parametric analysis reveals that at solar radiation of 800 W/m², which is reasonable for the sun in most of the Middle East, selecting n-Octane as a working media results in an increase in the hydrogen production rate of about 150%. This also confirms the importance of selecting the right working fluid for the ORC unit. Moreover, the influence of substantial decision variables on the hydrogen production, net out pout power, exergy efficiency indicated that multi-criteria optimization is necessary. The multi-objective optimization strategy suggests the TIP = 1753 kPa, T_oil = 99°C, η_is^tur = 0.9, η_is^pump = 0.87, and A_Heliostat = 2800 m², for the optimum state of the studied system. Additionally, the scatter distribution and sensitivity analysis for optimum point introduced by multi-criteria optimization utilized for better understanding the optimization process.