Optimization and exergy analysis of a cascade organic Rankine cycle integrated with liquefied natural gas regasification process

Abstract

One of the most efficient methods of exergy recovery during the regasification process is integrating the LNG stream with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) to generate electricity. This study employs a cascade structure of ORC consisting of two double-stage condensations operating at 6 bar regasification pressure. To obtain an optimal ORC system integrated with an LNG, three optimization levels for a specific heat source are addressed, including process variables, working fluids, and structure. Ten process variables and two working fluid variables for the top and bottom cycle among 13 candidates of refrigerants were optimized to provide the maximum power output. The results determined that refrigerants of R41 and R1150 have the best performance in the optimized process conditions for the top and bottom cycles, respectively. For the regasification of 36 tonnes per hour of an LNG stream, the produced net power and the exergy efficiency are achieved by 2116.76 kW and 0.29, respectively. The exergy analysis revealed that employing the double-stage condenser ORC is not a good choice. Accordingly, a cascade-parallel structure is proposed for further studies.