Analytical method for calculation of heat source temperature drop for the Organic Rankine Cycle application

In the paper presented are considerations on the cooperation of the limited capacity heat source with the Organic Rankine Cycle unit. Usually the heat source providing thermal energy to the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) may have twofold characteristics. It can be in the form of a single phase fluid, i.e. as hot exhaust gas or hot liquid, or in some cases it may be available as a phase changing fluid, as for example, technological or geothermal steam. Such fluid will be condensed whilst supplying heat to the ORC evaporator. In case of the heat source in the form of a single phase fluid flow its temperature is decreasing in the course of heating of the ORC. In the paper a simple analytical method, based on the energy balance of evaporator, is presented for evaluation of the final temperature of the heat source for ORC installation for two cases, namely single phase fluid and phase changing fluid heat supply. Additionally, the ratio of the heating fluid to the ORC working fluid is presented in function of the minimum temperature difference between the heat source and working fluid. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.