Cycle Efficiency Optimization for ORC Solar Plants

Organic Rankine Cycle plants have been becoming an interesting chance to convert solar energy into electrical energy, when working at not very high temperature levels. Global efficiency of such plants depends on several factors, including mirror optics, receiver tube thermal losses, fluid working cycle, mechanical-electrical conversion. The paper investigates particularly about cycle efficiency and its optimization varying both organic fluid and efficiency improving techniques, as regeneration or reheat. The analysis has been performed evaluating the cycle efficiency in a lot of cases, comparing each other. Results are critically presented, offering a decisional tool when designing an ORC solar plant for medium temperature levels.