Working fluid selection of low grade heat geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)

Authors

  • Mohammed A. Al-Weshahi School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, UK, Newcastle Upon Tyne Author
  • Fathi Latrash School of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, UK, Newcastle Upon Tyne Author
  • Alexander Anderson School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, UK, Newcastle Upon Tyne Author
  • Brian Agnew School of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, UK, Newcastle Upon Tyne Author

Keywords:

ORC, Refrigerant, Geothermal, Selection criteria.

Abstract

The paper presents working fluid selection of the ORC unit powered by geothermal source. A validated model was used to assess 25 working fluids belonging to different chemical compositions, HFC, HCFC, HC, mixture and inorganic. The selection criteria were based on: net produced power, thermal efficiency, refrigerant pump power consumption, evaporating and condensing pressure, safety and environmental consideration. The study revealed that based on the selection criteria and studied ORC unit operating conditions, R236ea, R236fa and R227ea were the preferred refrigerants. Despite R141b, R123, R245ca, R717, R600 and R245fa showed an attractive thermal performance they were discarded because they did not meet the selection criteria. 

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Published

2025-06-26

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 01 (2014): International Journal of Thermal Technologies

Section

Articles