Thermo-economic investigation and comparative multi-objective optimization of dual-pressure evaporation ORC using binary zeotropic mixtures as working fluids for geothermal energy application

Abstract

This contribution performs an energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic (3E) analysis of a dual-pressure evaporation organic Rankine cycle system employing twenty different binary zeotropic mixtures as working fluids for power production from a geothermal field. To this end, the designed system is modeled, invoking the mass and energy conservation laws and the exergy and cost balance analyses. Specific Exergy Costing (SPECO) procedure is utilized to provide practical insights into the exergoeconomic aspect of the system. Comparative optimization based on the multi-objective genetic algorithm is accomplished for each mixture in order to simultaneously maximize the exergy efficiency and minimize the total cost rate using the design variables of pressure factor in low-pressure and high-pressure stages, mixture fraction, pinch point temperature differences in low-pressure and high-pressure heat exchangers, and degree of superheat in the high-pressure heat exchanger. In this regard, the Pareto frontiers are drawn for the system with all twenty different binary zeotropic mixtures. The optimal point for each mixture is obtained via the decision-making technique of LINMAP. Subsequently, the LINMAP is re-utilized to find the preferred mixture. The optimization results suggest the R123/C2Butene (96.89/3.11) mixture for this system as the optimum working fluid, considering a trade-off between a low-cost rate of $88.0651 per hr and a high exergy efficiency of 64.07 %. Finally, the exergy flow diagram is plotted to provide the exergy flow rate and the amount of exergy destruction in each segment of the system considering the optimal working fluid. In the proposed system, exergy destruction chiefly occurs within the low-pressure preheater with a value of 1061 kW, followed by the low-pressure turbine and condenser with magnitudes of about 669 kW and 266 kW, respectively.