Development of Multigeneration Waste-to-Zero System Using ORC, Sorption, and Drying-Based CCHP

Authors

  • Chanansith Suvarnabol

    1. School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand; 2. Thermal Design and Technology Laboratory (TDeT Lab), Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand
  • Nattaporn Chaiyat

    1. School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand; 2. Thermal Design and Technology Laboratory (TDeT Lab), Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i8.10712
Received: 25 June 2025 | Revised: 5 August 2025 | Accepted: 7 August 2025 | Published Online: 19 August 2025

Abstract

This work investigates a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) generation system utilizing waste energy. A cascade-CCHP system is developed, consisting of a 23.65-kWe organic Rankine cycle (ORC), a 4.00-kW adsorption chiller, a 4.11-kW absorption chiller, a 15.99-kW drying room, and an incinerator of 150 kg/h. A net energy production of 36.08 kWh is achieved from a CCHP energy efficiency of 9.98%. The levelized cost for producing a total energy output of 2,020,592 kWh over a lifespan of 20 years is approximately 0.106 USD/kWh. The life cycle assessment (LCA) yields a single score of approximately 0.000151 Pt, mainly attributed to raw materials used in the construction process of 87.16%. In addition, the combustion ash is processed into concrete blocks measuring 39 cm ´ 19 cm ´ 7 cm, in accordance with the Industrial Product Standard (TIS) 58-2533, with a water absorption value below 5% and a compressive strength exceeding 25 kg/cm2. The CCHP system demonstrates a novel method of waste-to-energy (WtE), and the construction material from waste combustion ash can also support a new concept of waste-to-zero (WtZ).

Keywords:

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC); Sorption System; Drying Room; Incinerator; Construction Material

References

[1] Energy Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy, 2025. National Energy Plan. https://www.eppo.go.th/index.php/en/component/k2/item/17093 (cited 1 May 2025). (in Thai)

[2] Navaongxay, B., Chaiyat, N., 2019. Energy and Exergy Costings of Organic Rankine Cycle Integrated With Absorption System. Applied Thermal Engineering. 152, 67–78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.02.018

[3] Karim, S., Tofiq, T., Shariati, M., et al., 2021. 4E Analyses and Multi-Objective Optimization of a Solar-Based Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power System for Residential Applications. Energy Reports. 7, 1780–1797. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.03.020

[4] Gimelli, A., Iossa, R., Karimi, A., et al., 2025. Energy-Saving and Economic Feasibility of a Battery-Integrated Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CCHP) Plant Through Waste Heat Recovery for H₂O–NH₃ Based Absorption, Power and Cooling (APC) System. Energy. 317, 134640. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.134640

[5] Cho, H., Cho, Y., Jeong, J.H., 2025. Hybrid Absorption Chiller to Improve Energy Efficiency in Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power System. Applied Thermal Engineering. 272, 126440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.126440

[6] Anvari, S., Mahian, O., Taghavifar, H., et al., 2020. 4E Analysis of a Modified Multigeneration System Designed for Power, Heating/Cooling, and Water Desalination. Applied Energy. 270, 115107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115107

[7] Xu, J., Yao, Y., Yousefi, N., 2021. Optimal Prime Mover Size Determination of a CCHP System Based on 4E Analysis. Energy Reports. 7, 4376–4387. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.07.028

[8] Zhang, Y., 2025. Optimization of Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power Systems With Thermal Energy Storage Using a Modified Genetic Algorithm. Journal of Building Engineering. 107, 112780. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.112780

[9] Du, Y., Yang, C., Wang, H., et al., 2025. Thermodynamic Analysis of a Copper-Based Chemical Looping Combustion System With Integrated Energy Storage for Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power. Energy. 328, 136540. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.136540

[10] Asim, M., Kumar, R., Kanwal, A., et al., 2023. Techno-Economic Assessment of Energy and Environmental Impact of Waste-to-Energy Electricity Generation. Energy Reports. 10, 3373–3382. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.09.088

[11] Carneiro, M.L.N.M., Gomes, M.S.P., 2019. Energy, Exergy, Environmental and Economic Analysis of Hybrid Waste-to-Energy Plants. Energy Conversion and Management. 179, 397–417. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.10.007

[12] Tan, S.T., Ho, W.S., Hashim, H., et al., 2015. Energy, Economic and Environmental (3E) Analysis of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management in Malaysia. Energy Conversion and Management. 102, 111–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.02.010

[13] Bhuiyan, M.Y., Rudra, S., Sayem, A.S.M., 2025. Pyro-Gasification of Norwegian Industrial Solid Waste (ISW) for Hydrogen Production and District Heating Application: A 4-E (Energy, Exergy, Environment, and Economic) Analysis. Energy Conversion and Management: X. 27, 101068. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101068

[14] Farajollahi, M., Almasi, N., Zahedi, A., et al., 2025. Techno-Economic Analysis of a Biogas Power Plant: Moving to Sustainable Energy Supply and Green Environment Through Waste Management. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 193, 1197–1219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.11.129

[15] Ramos, A., 2025. Integrating Waste Thermal Conversion and Lifecycle Analysis for Sustainable Energy Production: Reflecting Upon Environmental and Economic Impacts. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 78, 104342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2025.104342

[16] Cunningham, P.R., Wang, L., Kane, S., et al., 2025. Lifecycle Implications and Mechanical Properties of Carbonated Biomass Ashes as Carbon-Storing Supplementary Cementitious Materials. Biomass and Bioenergy. 197, 107772. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.107772

[17] Aouan, B., Fadil, M., El Alouani, M., et al., 2025. Recycling Three Local Waste Materials for Optimizing the Mechanical Performance of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Cement: Application of a Ternary Mixture Design and Artificial Neural Networks Modeling. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 46, 102064. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2025.102064

[18] Carmona-Ramírez, J.D., Bedoya-Henao, C.A., Cabrera-Poloche, F.D., et al., 2025. Exploring Sustainable Construction: A Case Study on the Potential of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ashes as Building Materials in San Andres Island. Case Studies in Construction Materials. 22, e04351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04351

[19] Chen, Z., Kumar, D., Zhu, W., et al., 2024. Simplified Framework for Efficient Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Bottom Ash as Construction Material via Systematic Classification and Characterization. Construction and Building Materials. 411, 134504. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134504

[20] Zhou, Y., Yu, P., Yang, H., et al., 2024. Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Fly Ash Under High Temperature Sintering and Alkali Excitation for Use in Cementitious Material. Journal of Building Engineering. 94, 110005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110005

[21] Schafer, M.L., Clavier, K.A., Townsend, T.G., et al., 2019. Assessment of the Total Content and Leaching Behavior of Blends of Incinerator Bottom Ash and Natural Aggregates in View of Their Utilization as Road Base Construction Material. Waste Management. 98, 92–101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.08.012

[22] SimaPro, 2018. SimaPro for Education (Release 8.5.2.0): Faculty Maejo University. Available from: https://simapro.com/plans/ (cited 1 May 2025).

[23] Chaiyat, N., Wakaiyang, Y., Inthavideth, X., 2017. Enhancement Efficiency of Organic Rankine Cycle by Using Sorption System. Applied Thermal Engineering. 122, 368–379. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.05.028

[24] Chaiyat, N., Chaongew, S., Ondokmai, P., et al., 2020. Levelized Energy and Exergy Costings Per Life Cycle Assessment of a Combined Cooling, Heating, Power and Tourism System of San Kamphaeng Hot Spring, Thailand. Renewable Energy. 146, 828–842. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.07.028

[25] Bank of Thailand, 2025. Real Interest Rate and Inflation Rate. https://www.bot.or.th/en/our-roles/monetary-policy/mpc-publication/policy-interest-rate.html (cited 1 May 2025).

[26] Chaiyat, N., Lerdjaturanon, W., Ondokmai, P., 2021. Life Cycle Assessment of a Combined Cooling Heating and Power Generation System. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. 4, 100134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2021.100134

[27] Department of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2025. Climate Change Act. https://www.dcce.go.th/datacenter/661 (cited 1 May 2025). (in Thai)

Downloads

How to Cite

Suvarnabol, C., & Chaiyat, N. (2025). Development of Multigeneration Waste-to-Zero System Using ORC, Sorption, and Drying-Based CCHP. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(8), 131–150. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i8.10712

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 8 (August 2025): In Progress

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2025 Chanansith Suvarnabol, Nattaporn Chaiyat

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC