Depending on the application, the design of the optimal ORC system entails the selection of the working fluid, the choice of the cycle configuration and operating parameters and the selection of the components and materials. The engineering problem is multifaceted as a multitude of requirements must be taken into account. New methodologies are needed in order to be able to consider a broader design envelope, and rely less on experience, especially for new applications outside the boundaries on known designs.
The design of the expander of an ORC system often requires specific expertise, and scientific knowledge. Unconventional features are related to so-called real-gas effects of the flow, highly supersonic conditions, large expansion ratio, unconventional expander configuration, bearings, rotor dynamics, materials, etc. In addition, advancements in specific aspects of computer-based design are leading the design of ORC expanders toward the same level of sophistication than that of expanders for conventional power plants (e.g., steam and gas turbines).
The selection of the appropriate working fluid, given the application, the operational parameters, and the power capacity, is one of the most important aspects of system design. Although a number of fluids are successfully employed in commercial applications, there is the need of devising and testing new fluids for new applications, and for more conventional applications, whereby either operational parameters of the system could be improved, or other specific features are desirable. The development of new fluids requires measurements, thermophysical model in, and assessment of industrial production. Research on working fluids is one of the frontiers of ORC technology.
The design and operation of ORC system requires advanced software and simulation capabilities. The properties of working fluids must be measured and modeled, therefore thermophysical models of fluid properties are developed and constantly updated. The thermodynamic cycle is optimized using steady-sate simulation programs for energy systems. The turbines and expanders, which are often unconventional, if compared to air and steam machinery, are designed and optimized using sophisticated CFD tools, as well as heat exchangers and pumps. Dynamic simulation is used to study transient behavior and as an aid to control design. Modern software is also adopted for the control system. The development and use of these programs is illustrated and their performance evaluated.
Be it either a power plant that has been in operation for many years or a prototype, manufacturers and research institutions collect information on the operation of ORC systems that is of paramount importance also for their further development. For example, efficiency, reliability and maintenance needs are measured in various ways. Operation depends also on measurements of temperature, pressure, mass flow, composition, and electrical variables. These measurements are sometimes challenging. Experience with all aspects of operation and maintenance is exchanged, as well as test results and novel implementations.
ORC power plants are extensively employed for the indirect conversion into electricity of geothermal heat sources, with an installed capacity of several GW world-wide. Starting from the beginning of the century, ORC systems have been increasingly used to generate and co-generate electricity from the combustion of biomass. The recovery of industrial and domestic waste heat, together with the conversion of concentrated solar radiation are also existing applications, with a very large potential. Being the ORC system a prime mover suitable for any moderate and low external heat source, the number of potential new applications is very large. Among the new applications with large potential, domestic generation of heat and power. This short list of possible applications is certainly not exhaustive, and new ideas are welcome!
Such application deserves its own space among those treated at ORC 2013. In very recent time the interest toward the use of mini-ORC systems as a heat recovery system coupled to automotive engines of various type has grown exponentially. It is widely recognised that the efficiency of reciprocating engines has plateaued, and the only way of achieving a quantum leap in fuel economy is to exploit the considerable amount of thermal energy that is wasted with the flue gas and the cooling system. The technical and scientific challenges are vast (miniaturisation, weigh and volume, etc.), but the possible reward is commensurate. Successful mass-application of ORC technology in this sector would possibly drive a revolution in the energy sector at large.
CO2 is an organic molecule (it contains carbon), therefore also power systems employing CO2 in a closed cycle conceptually belong to the category of ORC, if the cooling of the fluid entails condensation. The close relative of this new and extremely promising technology is the scCO2 Brayton cycle power plant. These systems can reach very high conversion efficiency at moderate turbine inlet temperature, and feature very high power density. They are proposed for concentrated solar power applications, heat recovery, and nuclear power conversion.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) power plants
The (Organic) Rankine cycle is also at the basis of power plants aimed at exploiting the temperature difference existing between the surface water and the deep-ocean water in many areas of the world. One of advantages of this renewable energy systems is that it is suitable for base-load electricity generation. The challenges for OTEC to become a widespread reality are many, and scientific and technical research work aimed at improvements on the power block is within the scope of ORC 2013.
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All authors who would like to be considered for an oral or a poster presentation and publication in the Book of Abstracts can upload their abstracts (either regular or extended) as a PDF file by April 29th, 2013.* The reviewers will decide upon the work be presented during the oral or poster session.
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* The reviewers will decide upon the work be presented during the oral or poster session.