Process development and exergy analysis of a novel hybrid fuel cell-absorption refrigeration system utilizing nanofluid as the absorbent liquid.

Highlights • A hybrid system including high-temperature fuel cell and absorption chiller is developed. • Nanofluids are employed as absorbent for increasing of COP in the refrigeration system. • Exergy analysis has been conducted for the hybrid fuel cell refrigeration system. • Sensitivity analysis is employed for assessing of main parameters on the system performance. Abstract A hybrid system including high-temperature polymer fuel cell with capacity of 5 kW along with fuel processing unit for producing rich hydrogen from natural gas integrated by a 3 kW absorption chiller has been developed. The waste heat of flue gas from the burners is utilized in the ammonia-water absorption chiller for refrigerating purposes. The hybrid refrigeration system is simulated by Aspen HYSYS software in a steady state condition. After defining the properties of nanoparticles in HYSYS software, the water-based nanofluids are employed as absorbent liquid for increasing of COP in the refrigeration system, and their effects have been evaluated on overall system performance. The electrochemical model of the fuel cell as well as the main parameters of refrigeration system have been validated with experimental results and similar works. Electrical efficiency and overall efficiency of the hybrid system are equal to 36% and 77.3%, respectively. The overall efficiency in the presence of silver nanofluid can be increased up to 81%. Exergy analysis has been conducted for the hybrid system, and the obtained exergy efficiency of the system is equal to 29%. Sensitivity analysis has been employed for evaluating of significant parameters on the hybrid system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]