Design, multi-aspect analyses, and multi-objective optimization of a novel trigeneration system based on geothermal and municipal solid waste energies

The study of multi-source energy systems, due to higher performance and producing various products, is an interesting subject. The current study designs a multi-source system including a gas turbine cycle with CH4 and municipal solid waste digester, a geothermal system with an organic Rankine, organic flash, and a double-effect absorption refrigeration subsystem to produce power, cooling, and heating loads simultaneously. The thermodynamic and economic analyses are utilized to estimate the system’s performance and multi-objective optimization has been applied to define the optimum state of the system concerning two scenarios. The results indicate that the system provides 423.4 kW net power, 384.7 kW heating load, and 106.3 kW cooling load with 39.28% exergetic efficiency and 6.67 years payback period. These values are improved to 664.9 kW net power, 446.5 heating load, 42.01% exergetic efficiency, and 6.05 years payback period at the best optimum scenario. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the air compressor’s pressure ratio mainly impacts the net power, heating load production, and net present value. The cooling load production and exergetic efficiency are mainly affected by the air preheater effectiveness variation.