Comparison on Thermodynamic Performances between Basic and Regenerative Sub-Critical Organic Rankine Cycles Coupled with Low Grade Heat Source

Abstract

The coupling effects of low grade heat source on thermodynamic performances of both the basic and regenerative sub-critical Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems are investigated and compared. Turbine inlet pressure and turbine inlet temperature are treated as independent variables. The system exergy efficiency is selected as the thermodynamic performance criterion. The waste hot water with temperature range of 373.15K to 423.15K is selected as the low grade heat source. Optimization studies are carried out by using eight common organic working fluids to recover heat energy, and relevant operating conditions are obtained respectively. The results indicate that both hot fluid inlet temperature and the allowable minimum hot fluid outlet temperature influence the optimal working fluid, relevant turbine inlet condition and system exergy efficiency. Optimal system exergy efficiency increases monotonously with increasing of hot fluid temperature for both ORC systems above. In comparison to the basic cycle configuration, optimal system exergy efficiency for the regenerative system using the same working fluid is not changed if relevant turbine inlet vapor is saturated, but is significantly improved if relevant turbine inlet vapor is overheating. Besides, the optimal working fluid is dependent on the heat source temperature and specific cycle configuration.