Thermodynamic optimization of a multi-generation system integrating gas turbine-helium reactor cycle with hydrogen production and desalination

This study investigates the thermodynamic optimization of a multi-generation energy system integrating a Gas Turbine-Modular Helium Reactor (GT-MHR) with hydrogen production, absorptive cooling, and desalination subsystems. A comprehensive energy and exergy analysis is performed under varying operational conditions, focusing on key parameters such as turbine inlet temperature ( T 1 ), compressor pressure ratio (CPR), steam-to-carbon ratio (Sc), and the C O 2 / C H 4 molar ratio ( Cm ). The system achieves a maximum net power output of 285.34 MW, hydrogen production rate of 0.254 kg/s, and freshwater production rate of 17.98 kg/s. The overall thermal and exergy efficiencies reach 74.98 % and 51.62 %, respectively. Compared to the baseline configuration, energy efficiency improves by approximately 1.72 %, while the hydrogen output increases by 6.1 %. The Red Kite Optimization Algorithm (ROA), a novel metaheuristic inspired by the social behavior of red kites, is employed for both single- and multi-objective optimization. ROA demonstrates rapid convergence and strong global search ability. Additionally, uncertainty analysis is incorporated to evaluate system robustness against variations in CPR and reaction temperatures. The findings confirm the technical and thermodynamic viability of the proposed integrated system, highlighting its potential for sustainable energy production and efficient resource utilization. • Introduces a new gas turbine-helium modular reactor cycle with additional subsystems. • System performance evaluated through comprehensive thermodynamic modeling. • Scrutinizes various system parameters for efficiency impact assessment. • Uses single and multi-objective optimization techniques to enhance system performance. • Employs the Red Kite Optimization Algorithm for efficient exploration and convergence.