Conceptual Design and Preliminary Testing of an Organic Rankine Cycle Thermal Architecture

Angad Panesar, Robert Morgan, David Kennaird, Emily Pike-Wilson, Richard Sansome, Morgan Heikal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNConference contribution with ISSN or ISBNpeer-review

Abstract

Waste heat recovery is a key path in improving the overall thermal efficiency, and hence, reducing CO2 emissions in the mid to large scale internal combustion engines. However, realisation of the cost-effective deployment of Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) are hindered by several key factors. Amongst these are the, utilisation of low-grade ORC practice for high-grade applications, disconnect between parameters considered in simulation studies to those demonstrated experimentally, and integrating multiple heat recovery sources.
To investigate and address these challenges, a programme of ‘concept-to-demonstration’ is in progress at the University of Brighton. This paper describes some of the key features of a new ORC test facility that can contribute towards reduced system costs and increased overall conversion efficiency. These features include, firstly, a variable heat source setup, allowing the potential to replicate a wide range of realistic gaseous heat source quality and quantity levels. Secondly, the direct utilisation of the High-Temperature (HT) exhaust gases, which is expected to reduce the overall system cost when compared to a system utilising an intermediate thermal-oil loop. Thirdly, deployment of HT blends, this is estimated to increase the overall conversion efficiency when compared to a system employing a conventional organic working fluid. Fourthly, a flexible thermal architecture, offering a dual source heat recovery for effective heat utilisation and internal heat recuperation for increased thermal efficiency. Finally, the HT and high-pressure cycle operating capability, offering a near-optimal process condition. The potential benefits of the above features are quantified using a combination of literature survey, simulation results and experimental measurements. The paper concludes with a brief overview of the research direction intended to be undertaken in the next phase of the work.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHeat Powered Cycles Conference 2016
Place of PublicationNottingham, UK
PublisherHeat Powered Cycles
Pages0-0
Number of pages1
ISBN (Print)9780956332950
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2016
EventHeat Powered Cycles Conference 2016 - Nottingham, UK, 27-29 June 2016
Duration: 1 Jun 2016 → …

Conference

ConferenceHeat Powered Cycles Conference 2016
Period1/06/16 → …

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