Abstract
Large thermal energy is used by the petrochemical industry to ensure the unfolding of its separation processes, characterized by low grade heat waste. Organic Rankine cycles (ORC) are effective technologies which have been confirmed to be trustworthy for waste heat recovery (WHR). Applications require reliable ORC to be integrated to specific processes in order to boost its technical and economic metrics, leading to ORC modules innovation. In the present work, process design and economic evaluation of organic Rankine open cycle (OROC) integration to alkanes’ fractional distillation is addressed. The integration is optimized within pinch technique framework, and practically ensured by using distillation process fluid mixtures of light, medium and higher alkanes as working fluids in open cycles, taking advantage of the pressure gaps within the distillation system and the final utilization of the pre-mentioned fluids. Compared to n-pentane ORC, the results indicate that OROCs could deliver 3 MW of power at 23, 27% reduced specific investment and operating costs, respectively. Economic indices for this integration are found to be highly dependant on electricity prices. OROCs project could detain a positive net present value at 0.065 $/kWh with a payback period of 7.3 years.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
