An exergy composite curves approach for the design of optimum multi-pressure organic Rankine cycle processes

This work adopts the ECCs (exergy composite curves) approach to explore the potential for ORC (organic Rankine cycle) process improvements. The method is used to explore different ORC configurations supported by a mathematical model representing a generic multi-pressure ORC cascade and developed based on the principles of the ECCs method. The model facilitates interconnectivity at different temperature and pressure levels, also considering two types of turbines, namely an expansion and an induction turbine. It is employed to investigate the performance of two major ORC configurations, namely one considering independent pressure loops with an expansion turbine and the other considering pressure loops contacted through induction turbines. These configurations are updated with new features within an iterative procedure supporting the systematic identification of the optimum number of pressure loops together with several operating optimization parameters. The optimization is performed using an inclusive objective function, while the obtained results indicate ORC systems of high performance.

[1]  Warren D. Seider,et al.  Product and Process Design Principles: Synthesis, Analysis, and Evaluation , 1998 .

[2]  C. Chou,et al.  A thermodynamic approach to the design and synthesis of plant utility systems , 1987 .

[3]  Patrick Linke,et al.  On the systematic design and selection of optimal working fluids for Organic Rankine Cycles , 2010 .

[4]  John R. Flower,et al.  Synthesis of heat exchanger networks: I. Systematic generation of energy optimal networks , 1978 .

[5]  Santanu Bandyopadhyay,et al.  Process integration of organic Rankine cycle , 2009 .

[6]  Ulli Drescher,et al.  Fluid selection for the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) in biomass power and heat plants , 2007 .

[7]  John G. Brisson,et al.  Method for customizing an organic Rankine cycle to a complex heat source for efficient energy conversion, demonstrated on a Fischer Tropsch plant , 2013 .

[8]  François Maréchal,et al.  A Methodology for the Optimal Insertion of Organic Rankine Cycles in Industrial Processes , 2004 .

[9]  Simon Harvey,et al.  Applying Process Integration Methods to Target for Electricity Production from Industrial Waste Heat Using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Technology , 2011 .

[10]  Jin-Kuk Kim,et al.  Composition optimisation of working fluids for Organic Rankine Cycles and Kalina cycles , 2013 .

[11]  Bodo Linnhoff,et al.  Shaftwork targets for low-temperature process design , 1992 .

[12]  Bertrand F. Tchanche,et al.  Fluid selection for a low-temperature solar organic Rankine cycle , 2009 .

[13]  D. Brüggemann,et al.  Exergy based fluid selection for a geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle for combined heat and power generation , 2010 .

[14]  Vincent Lemort,et al.  Thermo-economic optimization of waste heat recovery Organic Rankine Cycles , 2011 .

[15]  N. Lai,et al.  Working fluids for high-temperature organic Rankine cycles , 2007 .

[16]  Robin Smith,et al.  Chemical Process: Design and Integration , 2005 .

[17]  Santanu Bandyopadhyay,et al.  Multiple utilities targeting for heat exchanger networks , 1998 .

[18]  Li Zhao,et al.  A review of working fluid and expander selections for organic Rankine cycle , 2013 .

[19]  Jiří Jaromír Klemeš,et al.  Total Site targeting with process specific minimum temperature difference (ΔTmin) , 2012 .

[20]  Pedro J. Mago,et al.  An examination of regenerative organic Rankine cycles using dry fluids , 2008 .

[21]  W. Worek,et al.  Optimum design criteria for an Organic Rankine cycle using low-temperature geothermal heat sources , 2007 .

[22]  George Papadakis,et al.  Low­grade heat conversion into power using organic Rankine cycles - A review of various applications , 2011 .

[23]  K R Williams,et al.  Power from the sun , 1979 .

[24]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  Optimal integration of organic Rankine cycles with industrial processes , 2013 .

[25]  Patrick Linke,et al.  On the role of working fluid properties in Organic Rankine Cycle performance , 2012 .

[26]  Alexander Mitsos,et al.  Modeling and optimization of a binary geothermal power plant , 2013 .

[27]  George Papadakis,et al.  Exergy analysis of micro-organic Rankine power cycles for a small scale solar driven reverse osmosis desalination system , 2010 .

[28]  Patrick Linke,et al.  Toward Optimum Working Fluid Mixtures for Organic Rankine Cycles using Molecular Design and Sensitivity Analysis , 2013 .