Organic Rankine-cycle power systems working fluids study: Topical report No. 2, Toluene
The US Department of Energy initiated an investigation at Argonne National Laboratory in 1982 to experimentally determine the thermal stability limits and degradation rates of toluene as a function of maximum cycle temperature. Following the design and construction of a dynamic test loop capable of closely simulating the thermodynamic conditions of typical organic Rankine-cycle (ORC) power systems, four test runs, totaling about 3900 h of test time and covering a temperature range of 600-677(degree)F, were completed. Both liquid and noncondensable-vapor (gaseous) samples were drawn periodically and analyzed using capillary-column gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and mass spectrometry. A computer program that can predict degradation in an ORC engine was developed. Experimental results indicate that, if oxygen can be excluded from the system, toluene is a stable fluid up to the maximum test temperature; the charge of toluene could be used for several years before replacement became necessary. (Additional data provided by Sundstrand Corp. from tests sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration indicate that toluene may be used at temperatures up to 750(degree)F.) Degradation products are benign; the main liquid degradation products are bibenzyls, and the main gaseous degradation products are hydrogen and methane. A cold trap to remove gaseous degradation products from the condenser is necessary for extended operation. 21 figs., 22 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5059264
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/CNSV-TM-192; ON: DE88007152
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Performance test plan for a space station toluene heater tube
Assessment of Rankine cycle heat engines for small solar power applications
Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
42 ENGINEERING
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
WORKING FLUIDS
TOLUENE
DECOMPOSITION
STABILITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HEAT RECOVERY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DATA
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POWER SYSTEMS
RECOVERY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
320304* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
400201 - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
425002 - Engineering- Power Cycles- Rankine- (1980-)