Thermoeconomic Analysis of Organic Rankine Cycle From Napier Grass Biomass

Abstract

The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power plant is derived from a centrifugal chiller air conditioning system as an alternative to a diesel replacement modular power plant due to its low cost compared to ORC’s manufacture. Biomass is used as a heat source for the power plant to utilize a vast amount of biomass in Indonesia. Research is performed by designing an ORC with biomass that produces around 200 kWe. Simulation done by Microsoft Excel and Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties Database (Lemmon et al., 2013) add-on from the National Institute of Standard Technology (NIST) is used to simulate operating conditions and performance parameters to find a suitable specification of an HVAC system to be modified as an ORC with biomass fuel. Furthermore, based on input from the simulation result and assumptions, other simulation is performed to define operating conditions and types of working fluids, giving the lowest purchase equipment cost. The operating condition analysis of working fluids shows that R123 and R245fa are suitable to be utilized as a potential working fluid for ORC power plants with biomass fuel.

Keywords

• elephant grass
• working fluid
• performance analysis
• simulation
• cost analysis