Integrated computer-aided working-fluid design and thermoeconomic ORC system optimisation
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
The successful commercialisation of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems across a range of power outputs and heat-source temperatures demands step-changes in both improved thermodynamic performance and reduced investment costs. The former can be achieved through high-performance components and optimised system architectures operating with novel working-fluids, whilst the latter requires careful component-technology selection, economies of scale, learning curves and a proper selection of materials and cycle configurations. In this context, thermoeconomic optimisation of the whole power-system should be completed aimed at maximising profitability. This paper couples the computer-aided molecular design (CAMD) of the working-fluid with ORC thermodynamic models, including recuperated and other alternative (e.g., partial evaporation or trilateral) cycles, and a thermoeconomic system assessment. The developed CAMD-ORC framework integrates an advanced molecular-based group-contribution equation of state, SAFT-γ Mie, with a thermodynamic description of the system, and is capable of simultaneously optimising the working-fluid structure, and the thermodynamic system. The advantage of the proposed CAMD-ORC methodology is that it removes subjective and pre-emptive screening criteria that would otherwise exist in conventional working-fluid selection studies. The framework is used to optimise hydrocarbon working-fluids for three different heat sources (150, 250 and 350 °C, each with mcp = 4.2 kW/K). In each case, the optimal combination of working-fluid and ORC system architecture is identified, and system investment costs are evaluated through component sizing models. It is observed that optimal working fluids that minimise the specific investment cost (SIC) are not the same as those that maximise power output. For the three heat sources the optimal working-fluids that minimise the SIC are isobutane, 2-pentene and 2-heptene, with SICs of 4.03, 2.22 and 1.84 £/W respectively.
Date Issued
2017-09-12
Date Acceptance
2017-09-12
Citation
Energy Procedia, 2017, 129, pp.152-159
ISSN
1876-6102
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
152
End Page
159
Journal / Book Title
Energy Procedia
Volume
129
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Climate-KIC EIT PhD added value Programme
President's PhD Scholarships
Grant Number
EP/P004709/1
Climate-KIC EIT PhD added value Programme
Source
ORC-2017
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2017-09-13
Finish Date
2017-09-15
Coverage Spatial
Milan, Italy