Comprehensive evaluation of concentrated solar collector and Organic Rankine cycle hybrid energy process with considering the effects of different heat transfer fluids

Abstract

Solar energy based power generation systems can reduce pollutants emissions by reducing fossil fuel consumption. A new option for this idea is the Organic Rankine cycle coupled with a concentrating solar collector. The present study provides the Organic Rankine cycle performance using energy, exergy and economic approaches, selecting the appropriate operating fluid for the cycle consisting of Organic Rankine cycle and Linear Fresnel solar reflector. The effect of different organic fluid as well as different nanofluids on the overall performance of the cycle is investigated. Sensitivity analysis is discussed to evaluate the effect of various factors such as solar radiation, inlet temperature of solar system, mass flow rate, and inlet temperature and pressure of turbine on energy system performance. It was found that, the results provided in the present study do not correspond to any of the findings of previous similar studies. In addition, about 170 collectors of Linear Fresnel reflectors are needed to supply the thermal power required by the Organic Rankine cycle system. Under design conditions, the Levelized Cost of Energy and Simple payback time for the proposed hybrid system are obtained 0.0446 Euro/kWh and 7.74 years, respectively. Furthermore, the investment cost of the Linear Fresnel reflector system plays a key role in the economic justification of the proposed hybrid energy system.