Modeling, thermodynamic, and thermoeconomic analysis of a gas turbine cogeneration system planned to be established in the west African region

In this study, a gas turbine assisted cogeneration system planned to be established in Côte d'Ivoire, located in the West Africa region, was modeled, and its thermodynamic and thermoeconomic performance was analyzed. The cogeneration system, consisting of a gas turbine cycle and an absorption refrigeration cycle, was subjected to energy, exergy, and economic analyses under various operating parameters. In this context, the effects of pressure ratio (8–16), compressor isentropic efficiency (80–88%), turbine isentropic efficiency (75–85%), regenerator effectiveness (58–62%), generator temperature (90–100 °C), and evaporator temperature (0–5 °C) on the system's thermodynamic and thermoeconomic performance were evaluated. Accordingly, the energy utilization factor (EUF), levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and levelized cost of cooling (LCOC) were calculated. Additionally, the analyses were conducted under different ambient temperature conditions to evaluate the system's performance under typical temperature scenarios observed in Côte d'Ivoire. Depending on the investigated parameter ranges, the energy efficiency of the gas turbine cycle varied between 35.17% and 42.72%, while the exergy efficiency ranged from 35.85% to 44.05%. Similarly, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the absorption refrigeration system ranged from 0.509 to 0.562, and the exergy-based COP (eCOP) ranged from 0.198 to 0.460. An increase in the pressure ratio tended to reduce the EUF and LCOE, while the LCOC initially decreased and then increased again. The lowest LCOC was obtained at pressure ratios between 10 and 11. Increases in the compressor and turbine isentropic efficiencies enhanced the EUF and reduced both the LCOE and LCOC. Although an increase in regenerator effectiveness improved the EUF, it had an adverse effect on both electricity and cooling costs. On the other hand, increases in the generator and evaporator temperatures improved the EUF value and reduced both the LCOE and LCOC, thereby positively affecting the overall system performance. In general, it was determined that an increase in ambient temperature negatively affected both the electricity generation cost and the cooling cost of the cogeneration system. Depending on the examined operating parameters, the EUF of the gas turbine cogeneration system varies between 60.43% and 63.30%, the LCOE ranges from 0.02527 to 0.04682 USD/kWh, and the LCOC ranges from 0.04839 to 0.07054 USD/kWh. As a result of the analyses conducted, the temperature of the cooled air leaving the evaporator could be reduced to a minimum of 9.54 °C.