A hybrid system that integrates an absorption refrigerator and a PAFC (phosphoric acid fuel cell) is proposed to recover waste heat for cooling purposes. The operating current density interval of the PAFC that enables the absorption refrigerator to cool effectively is determined. The numerical expressions for the equivalent power output and efficiency of the hybrid system are specified at different operating conditions. Calculations show that the maximum power density and corresponding efficiency using the hybrid system can be increased by 2.6% and 3.0%, respectively, compared to system only using a PAFC. The general performance characteristics and optimum criteria for the hybrid system are revealed. Comprehensive parametric analyses were conducted to determine the effects of internal irreversibilities in the absorption refrigerator, some integrated parameters related to the thermodynamic losses, and the operating current density, temperature and pressure of the PAFC on the performance of the hybrid system. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.