Component Selection and Optimization of Solar Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for Low Heat Temperature or Industrial Waste Heat

Abstract The increasing concerns over fuel prices and global warming have propelled the engineering industry to explore innovative solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. Among these solutions, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) has emerged as a promising technology for low to medium temperature waste heat recovery in industrial processes. ORC offers advantages such as low capital cost, small size, easy maintenance, and the ability to convert low-grade heat into electricity. This paper delves into the significance of ORC in addressing environmental challenges and improving production efficiency. It highlights the growing attention towards low-temperature waste heat recovery and emphasizes the ORC's role in converting heat into usable electrical energy. The benefits of ORC span industrial waste heat recovery, harnessing renewable energies, and low-power heat generation, making it an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. The study includes simulation results using DWSIM simulation software, presenting data on heat flow at different pressures for various working fluids. The analysis offers insights into the variation of heat flow with pressure, optimal operating conditions, and the stability of heat flow for each fluid. Additionally, the paper discusses the potential applications of ORC in rural electrification and its contribution to the renewable energy mix. Furthermore, the research explores the benefits of ORC in different industries, such as refrigeration and air conditioning, and provides data on overall efficiency under different conditions. The findings indicate the potential for ORC to be utilized in diverse settings, including solar thermal, biomass, and geothermal applications. The study concludes with an examination of SORC (Sorption Organic Rankine Cycle) efficiency for different working fluids under varying turbine inlet conditions. The analysis reveals the influence of turbine inlet pressure and temperature on efficiency, offering valuable insights for the optimization of ORC systems.