skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Thermodynamic analysis of organic Rankine cycle using dry working fluids

Conference ·
OSTI ID:320885
;  [1]
  1. I-Shou Univ., Tashu (Taiwan, Province of China). Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Utilization of waste heat is not economically incentive to the industry once the temperature of the waste heat drops to a certain level. This is primarily due to a low efficiency when converting the energy of the waste heat to some forms of useful power. A Rankine cycle using organic fluids as working fluids, called organic Rankine cycle (ORC), is potentially feasible in recovering low-enthalpy containing heat sources. Nevertheless, an efficient operation of the ORC depends heavily on two factors: working conditions of the cycle and the thermodynamic properties of the working fluids. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of these two factors on the performance of the ORC. The working fluids under investigation are: benzene (C{sub 6}H), toluene (C{sub 7}H{sub 8}), p-xylene (C{sub 8}H{sub 10}), R113 and R123. Irreversibility of a system using various working fluids was studied since it represents the energy balance in recovering the waste heat. The study shows that the system efficiency increases as the inlet pressure of the turbine increases regardless of the working fluid used. Among the working fluids under investigation, p-xylene shows the highest efficiency while benzene the lowest. The study also shows that irreversibility depends on the type of heat source. Generally speaking, p-xylene has the lowest irreversibility in recovering a high temperature waste heat while R113 and R123 have a better performance in recovering a low temperature waste heat. In addition, an economic feasibility of ORC using various working fluids is given for ORC`s with commercial capacities.

OSTI ID:
320885
Report Number(s):
CONF-980426-; TRN: IM9910%%75
Resource Relation:
Conference: American power conference, Chicago, IL (United States), 14-16 Apr 1998; Other Information: PBD: 1998; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the American Power Conference: Volume 60-2; McBride, A.E. [ed.]; PB: 588 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English