LAUSR

In this article, the application of a hybrid phosphoric acid fuel cell and organic Rankine cycle (PAFC/ORC) system was thermo‐economically investigated for sulfuric acid production in Sarcheshmeh copper complex (SCC); the second largest copper deposit worldwide. The electricity that is produced by the system is consumed by electrolyzer to produce the hydrogen and sulfuric acid. Two scenarios were considered for applying the PAFC thermal energy as thermal source of the ORC to produce further power. The performance of the system was investigated considering various important parameters such as organic fluid type, PAFC current density (IPAFC), fuel & air consumption factors as well as the ORC turbine inlet pressure (Pi, ORC). The unit cost of sulfuric acid and the hybrid system simple payback period were obtained as 0.0215$/kg and 3.65 years, respectively.