Cycle Tempo Power Simulation of the Variations in Heat Source Temperatures for an Organic Rankine Cycle Power Plant using R-134A Working Fluid

Abstract

The focus of this study is an experiment and simulation of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system to produce electricity. The experimental equipment consisted of four main components: fluid pumps (for refrigerant and water); a condenser as a heat exchanger to condense the working fluid; an evaporator (boiler) as a heat exchanger to evaporate the refrigerant; and an expander (turbine) as a driver to produce electricity. The expander was a modification of a scroll air conditioning (AC) compressor, with a capacity of 1-3 kilowatts and connected to the generator to produce electricity in line with the design estimate. Furthermore, based on the application of the ORC experiment in the form of a small-scale power plant, a pre-determined temperature setting was set for the heat source, ranging between 80 and 100oC. The working fluid used in the study was R-134a. Optimum power estimation was obtained by processing the experimental result data using a software cycle tempo simulation that measured several electrical power outputs between 1.76 and 2.74 kilowatts.

Keywords

• expander
• evaporator
• condenser
• cycle tempo
• organic rankine cycle