An experimental investigation of a household size trigeneration

A household size trigeneration based on a small-scale diesel engine generator set is designed and realized in laboratory. Experimental tests are carried out to evaluate the performance and emissions of the original single generation (diesel engine generator); and the performances of the whole trigeneration including the diesel generator within the trigeneration system, the heat exchangers which are used to recover heat from engine exhaust, the absorption refrigerator which is driven by the exhaust heat; and the emissions from the whole trigeneration. Comparisons of the test results of two generations are also performed. The test results show that the total thermal efficiency of trigeneration reaches to 67.3% at the engine full load, comparing to that of the original single generation 22.1% only. Within the range of engine loads tested, the total thermal efficiencies of trigeneration are from 205% to 438% higher than that of the thermal efficiency of single generation. The CO2 emission per unit (kW h) of useful energy output from trigeneration is 0.401 kg CO2/kW h at the engine full load, compared to that of 1.22 kg CO2/kW h from single generation at the same engine load. Within the range of engine loads tested, the reductions of CO2 emission per unit (kW h) of trigeneration output are from 67.2% to 81.4% compared to those of single generation. The experimental results show that the idea of realizing a household size trigeneration is feasible; the design and the set-up of the trigeneration is successful. The experimental results show that the innovative small-scale trigeneration is able to generate electricity, produce heat and drive a refrigeration system, simultaneously from a single fuel (diesel) input. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.