Thermoeconomic analysis and optimization of an organic Rankine cycle-based ejector refrigeration cycle for waste heat utilization.

This study presents a comprehensive thermoeconomic comparison of two integrated power and cooling configurations: the Organic Rankine Cycle coupled with a Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle (ORC-VCRC), and the Organic Rankine Cycle integrated with an Ejector-Boosted Refrigeration Cycle (ORC-EBRC). A multi-variable optimization was carried out to minimize the total product cost flow by adjusting critical operational parameters. Cyclopentane was selected as the working fluid due to its favorable thermophysical characteristics and environmental compatibility. Notably, this work represents the first known study in literature to conduct a thermoeconomic assessment of both ORC-VCRC and ORC-EBRC systems, offering novel insights into hybrid powercooling integration. The thermoeconomic analysis revealed that the ORC-EBRC configuration consistently outperformed the ORC-VCRC system across a wide range of operational and economic conditions. Key results demonstrated that increasing the evaporator temperature significantly reduced the total product cost flow in both configurations, with ORC-EBRC achieving up to 7.67 % lower cost due to decreased compressor work and enhanced ejector performance. At a condenser temperature of 55 ◦C, the ORC-EBRC system provided a cost advantage approximately 14 % greater than that of ORC-VCRC, emphasizing its superior economic viability. Furthermore, the ORC-EBRC system showed greater economic resilience to fluctuations in interest rates and electricity prices and maintained its cost-effectiveness across different cooling capacities, indicating its scalability. These outcomes underline the ORC-EBRC cycle as a more economically robust and thermodynamically efficient solution for low-grade heat recovery.