Energy, exergy, and thermal performance analysis of a geothermal-based tri-generation system for power, cooling, and fresh water using aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles

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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

In this paper, the thermodynamic and thermal performance of an innovative geothermal-based tri-generation system for power, cooling, and fresh water is investigated using Al2O₃ and TiO₂ nanoparticles. The objective is to integrate three sub-systems to improve heat transfer by utilizing nanofluids within the intermediate fluid stream. Parametric analysis results indicate that increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction and the geothermal source temperature leads to higher heat transfer rates in heat exchangers, higher convective heat transfer coefficient, and increased net power output; among which, Al2O₃ nanoparticles demonstrated superior performance compared to TiO₂. Furthermore, the use of nanofluids enhanced the energy extractable from the geothermal source, specifically increasing heat transfer in the high-pressure generator by 3.24 kW and in the evaporator by 4.1 kW, which indicates an intensification of the cooling effect. Finally, at a volume fraction of 0.05 for Al2O₃ nanoparticles, the system achieved a net power output of 34.06 kW, 113.8 kW of cooling, and 0.2042 kg/s of fresh water, resulting in a gain output energy of 1.375 and an exergy efficiency of 47.41%. This study confirms the significant potential of combining renewable energy sources with nanotechnology.

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Journal of Solid and Fluid Mechanics
Volume 16, Issue 4
September and October 2026
Pages 399-414

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