Exergy, Economic, and Life Cycle Assessment of Novel Cogeneration Systems Based on Chemical Heat Pumps

As global energy and environmental pressures increase, the recovery of industrial low-temperature waste heat (LTWH) has become increasingly important. This study develops four novel cogeneration systems based on chemical heat pumps to simultaneously provide thermal energy and electricity from LTWH. Through system optimization, the internal cogeneration system (NORC-IAH) identified the optimized NORC-IAH (NORC-IAH1), which effectively converts LTWH, generating electricity and high-temperature heat. Exergy, economic, and environmental assessments were conducted for NORC-IAH1. Exergy analysis shows the highest exergy loss in the distillation column T1, at 599.85 kW, and the lowest exergy efficiencies for pumps P1 and T1, at 37.25% and 41.94%, respectively. Economic analysis reveals a total annual cost of $712,641.65/year, with T1 and heat exchanger H1 contributing the most, indicating potential improvements in heat transfer efficiency. Life cycle assessment highlights the carcinogenic risk from sulfidic tailings during the stainless steel construction stage. This study provides a foundation for industrial heat recovery and environmental sustainability.