Leveraging advanced waste heat recovery techniques and dynamic interplay of operational parameters in maximizing efficiency of next-gen hybrid thermal systems; Numerical computational modeling
Abstract
This study focuses on waste energy recovery and environmental protection through the evaluation of an integrated clean energy system combining compressed air energy storage, a solid oxide fuel cell, and a heat recovery unit. Designed to sustainably generate power, heat, and compressed air, the system\'s performance is assessed from energy, exergy, and environmental perspectives. Results show that recovering waste energy by optimizing current density significantly boosts outputs, power increases from 95.46 kW to 165.8 kW, heat recovery improves from 195.6 kW to 483 kW, and compressed air generation rises from 278.8 g/s to 535.6 g/s. However, higher current density also raises electrical emissions (from 850 to 1142 kg/MWh) and cycle emissions (from 278.8 to 291.8 kg/MWh), despite a reduction in thermal emissions (from 414.9 to 392 kg/MWh), underscoring the environmental trade-offs involved. The system demonstrated energy efficiencies ranging from 60.31 % to 63.85 % and exergy efficiencies between 27.5 % and 32.87 %, depending on operating conditions. Furthermore, elevated temperatures and utilization rates negatively affect both energy and exergy efficiencies, with improved efficiencies observed at lower current densities and temperatures. These insights emphasize the importance of balancing operational parameters to maximize waste energy recovery while minimizing environmental impacts, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and efficient hybrid clean energy technologies.
Author
Nashwan Adnan OTHMAN
ISSN
Publish Date: 17-Sep-2025