Thermodynamic, economic and regulation strategies analysis of a phosphoric acid fuel cell combined heating and cooling

Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) not only generate electricity but also produce a substantial amount of waste heat. This study introduces a novel conceptual framework that integrates a PAFC, a gas turbine, and a waste heat recovery unit to provide combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) services for various applications. The system's operational versatility is achieved by manipulating valve openings, allowing for the regulation of waste heat utilization across six distinct operational modes. A thermodynamic model has been developed and validated to evaluate system performance under diverse design conditions and configurations.A comprehensive analysis examines the impact of key variables on system metrics, including efficiency, exergy, and economic performance. Additionally, the analysis assesses system exergy losses and economic viability, revealing that the PAFC module experiences the highest energy loss, followed by the ARS and ORC, while the DHW exhibits the lowest relative losses. Furthermore, the economic evaluation underscores the system's adaptability, suggesting that it is a potentially viable option for CCHP production.