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Session: Prototypes I
Session starts: Monday 07 October, 10:00
Presentation starts: 10:00
Room: Van Weelde Zaal

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Bryce Shaffer (Air Squared Inc.)

Abstract:
As organic rankine cycles continue to gain a foothold in the energy landscape, they will face similar challenges as refrigeration cycles have throughout their history. This is specifically true for smaller ORC’s (10kW and below) used for solar to thermal distributed power generation systems, where components such as cost, size, weight, efficiency and management of ozone depleting refrigerants are crucial for the success of the system in the market place. Normally these systems are constructed in an elementary manner, with each component existing independently in a closed loop, connected via piping. For larger ORCs, this is generally not an issue. The energy loss and added cost of complex piping networks is small relative to the overall power output/cost of the system. However, this is more of a concern for smaller ORCs, where the need to effectively package and assemble is crucial. The compact torus-shaped ORC solves this by integrating all system components into a closed cylindrical can, where the working fluid flows about a torus in the poloidal direction. Both rotating devices (expander and pump) utilize a scroll type design. The evaporating and condensing processes are performed when the fluid is in transition between the two scroll devices. This lends to a more efficient and compact design, with a reduction in parts, system complexity and more secure refrigerant management. The current paper includes a detailed description of the proposed design. The cycle is described starting with the expansion process and ending with the evaporation process with the function and implementation of each component described in detail along the way. The paper concludes with drawing a comparison in power consumption between current and proposed ORC systems.