Abstract
This paper presents a dynamic simulation model and a parametric analysis of a solar-geothermal hybrid cogeneration plant based on an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) powered by a medium-enthalpy geothermal resource and a Parabolic Trough Collector solar field. The fluid temperature supplying heat to the ORC varies continuously as a function of the solar irradiation, affecting both the electrical and thermal energies produced by the system. Thus, a dynamic simulation was performed. The ORC model, developed in Engineering Equation Solver, is based on zero-dimensional energy and mass balances and includes specific algorithms to evaluate the off-design system performance. The overall simulation model of the solar-geothermal cogenerative plant was implemented in the TRNSYS environment. Here, the ORC model is imported, whereas the models of the other components of the system are developed on the basis of literature data. Results are analyzed on different time bases presenting energetic, economic and exergetic performance data. Finally, a rigorous optimization has been performed to determine the set of system design/control parameters minimizing simple payback period and exergy destruction rate. The system is profitable when a significant amount of the heat produced is consumed. The highest irreversibilities are due to the solar field and to the heat exchangers.
Highlights
In the last decades a great effort has been performed in order to analyze the technologies related to the exploitation of low-medium temperature heat sources
1-year dynamic simulation: this paper presents the development of a dynamic simulation model of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) fed by solar and medium-enthalpy geothermal energy
An iterative procedure has been implemented in order to achieve a suitable design configuration of the ORC system, as discussed in references [6,18,24,36]
Summary
In the last decades a great effort has been performed in order to analyze the technologies related to the exploitation of low-medium temperature heat sources In this framework, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), a Rankine cycle that uses an organic fluid, is one of the most interesting and promising of such technologies. As concerns the working fluid, water is used in a conventional Rankine cycle, while the ORC system uses an organic fluid, due to its many advantages in case of low-temperature heat sources. Their high molecular weight allows one to reduce the volumetric flow rates and the expansion ratio. As shown in many studies [4,5,6], allows one to achieve reasonable efficiencies even in case of low-temperature heat sources
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