Numerical optimization of an injection volumetric expander for use in waste heat recovery organic Rankine cycle

Waste heat recovery organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems allow generating mechanical or electrical power from local low grade heat sources. This paper shows how the power produced by the system can be increased by achieving several evaporating pressure levels and injecting low pressure flow during expansion. A numerical model of the vapour injection expansion is developed and different system configurations are compared. In comparison with a simple configuration of the cycle, vapour injection configuration yields a maximum increase of 16% of the power production. Moreover, the specific power can be increased by 26%, which would largely reduce the specific investment cost of the waste heat recovery system.