Energy, exergy, economic analysis and optimization of single-effect absorption chiller network.

This study is aimed to conduct energy, exergy and economic analysis on a network of single-effect absorption chillers. First, the network was analyzed parametrically and then optimized to minimize exergy destruction and annual cost. Multi-objective optimization was performed by implementing a particle swarm optimization algorithm. The case study was conducted on the absorption chiller network in Iranian Marun Petrochemical Company. The results indicated the greatest effects of the solution heat exchanger efficiency and network inlet cooling water temperature on energy and exergy performance coefficients and annual cost. Accordingly, decreasing the network inlet cooling water temperature from 35 to 25 °C increased energy and exergy performance coefficients by 5.3 and 6.2%, respectively, and reduced annual cost by $70,000.00. Besides, increasing solution heat exchanger efficiency from 60 to 80% increased energy and exergy performance coefficients by 5.9 and 2.1%, respectively, and decreased the annual cost by $60,000.00. According to the optimization results, the economic function of the network saved 9.95%, so that if the network works in optimized thermodynamics and economic conditions, the cost decreases by 3.24% compared to the typical manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]