4E analysis of an integrated solar energy and medical waste management system with PCM storage for healthcare buildings

The main objective of this study is to present a near zero cycle to ensure the required heating and cooling loads and power for the Bojnord city clinic. For this purpose, a novel multi-generation cycle proposed including solar collector, medical waste incinerator, absorption chiller, ORC cycle and a PCM tank for energy storage. The PV panels generated 35,052 kWh of electricity over the year, of which 12,636 kWh was sold to the grid. Additionally, by burning 603 tons medical waste over the year, 37,765 kWh of electricity was produced by the ORC cycle. The highest thermal load was recorded in July, reaching 31,628 kWh. Of this, 17,487 kWh was provided by the auxiliary heater, while the remaining demand was met by solar energy. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the system per year are 6.8 % and 2.8 %, respectively. In addition, the solar fraction for heat and electricity was 55.9 % and 37.2 %, respectively. The environmental analysis concluded that the presented cycle reduces carbon dioxide generation to 56362 kg/year. Finally, the economic analysis showed that the NPV value becomes positive after eight years, assuming a 3 % interest rate.