Thermodynamic Investigation of a Solar Energy Cogeneration Plant Using an Organic Rankine Cycle in Supercritical Conditions

In the present work,a novel Organic Rankine Cycle(ORC)configuration is used for a low-grade heat source cogeneration plant.An investigation is conducted accordingly into the simultaneous production of electricity and cold.The proposed configuration relies on concentrated solar power(as heat source)and ambient air(for cooling).Furthermore,two gas ejectors are added to the system in order to optimize the thermodynamic efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle.The results show that the thermodynamic and geometric parameters related to these ejectors have an important effect on the overall system performances.In order to account for the related environmental impact,the following working fluids are considered:HCFC-124,HFC-236fa,HFO-1234yf and HFO-1234ze.As shown by the numerical simulations,the fluid R1234yf presents the minimal heat consumption and therefore provides an optimal thermal efficiency for the ORC cycle(which is around 29%).However,the refrigerant R236fa displays the highest refrigeration performances with a performance coefficient reaching a value as high as 0.38.

Exergo-Environmental Study of a Recent Organic Solar Hybrid Heat Pump

A hybrid heat pump(compression/absorption)with an integrated thermal photovoltaic unit is studied.The considered working fluids are organic mixtures:R245fa/DMAC and R236fa/DMAC,chosen for their low Global Warming Potential.The main objective is the optimization of energy efficiency in order to minimize the environmental impact through the implementation of a sustainable strategy.It is shown that Exergy Analysis itself is a valuable tool in energy integration.Within the imposed framework of minimizing total annual costs,entropy analysis can be instrumental in determining the optimal plant concept,optimizing energy conversion and use,and improving profitability.The present results are discussed under the optimistic hope that they may help to define new energy and environmental policies.

Energetic Analysis and Working Fluids Selection for a New Power and Refrigeration Combined Ecological System

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the performance of a new system that combines organic Rankine Cycle(ORC) and vapor compression refrigeration cycle(VCRC) for refrigeration and cogeneration. This system uses low-temperature heat sources such as solar energy, geothermal, industrial waste heat and biomass. The novelty of the proposed system manifests itself essentially in: the development of new ORC-VCRC combination architecture, lowering the ORC condensing temperature, the possibility of refrigeration production by the ORC upstream of the pumping phase, preheating of ORC using VCRC fluid and new configurations based on the integration of heat recovery systems to improve the overall system performance. The first part of this study presents the energetic analysis for the basic system using different working fluids and investigation of the operating parameters effect on the system performance(The system performance is described by the ORC thermal efficiency, the VCRC coefficient of performance and the system overall efficiency). Ten working fluids have been selected in order to provide the most adequate candidates for the proposed system. The results showed that the heating temperature and the cooling temperature have a significant effect on the system performance. The choice of fluid was also mentioned;the obtained results confirmed that the best combination for the basic system is R236fa-acetone. Four system configurations are developed and analyzed in the second part of the study. Also in the same part of the study, we will compare these configurations in terms of the performance rate retained. In the last part, we will make a comparison of this new system with another system.