Apparatus and process for generation of energy by organic rankine cycle

Abstract

An apparatus (10) and a process for generation of energy through organic Rankine cycle (ORC) in which the heat exchanger (70) is of the hairpin type, so as to make the apparatus more flexible and optimise the cycle efficiency. The hairpin heat exchanger is able to stably carry out the preheating, once—through evaporation and superheating steps both at the nominal load and at the partial and transitory loads, either for sub-critical ORC cycles or for super-critical ORC cycles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for energy generation by organic Rankine cycle.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Apparatuses based on a thermodynamic Rankine cycle are known that convert thermal energy into mechanical and / or electric energy in a simple and reliable manner. In these (ORC) apparatus working fluids of the organic type (of high or medium molecular weight) are preferably used in place of the traditional water / vapour system, because an organic fluid is suitable for conversion of heat sources at relatively low temperatures, generally between 100° C. and 300° C., but also at higher temperatures, in a more efficient manner. The ORC conversion systems therefore have recently found increasingly wider applications in different sectors, such as in the geothermic field, in the industrial energy recovery, in apparatus for energy generation from biomasses and concentrated solar power (CSP), in regasifiers, etc.

[0003] An apparatus of known type for co...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0034]With reference to the mentioned figures, generally denoted at 10 is an apparatus for energy generation through the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) according to the present invention.

[0035]Apparatus 10 comprises an endless circuit in which an organic working fluid flows which has a high or medium molecular weight. This fluid can preferably be selected from the group comprising hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons and siloxanes.

[0036]FIG. 1 shows the circuit of the Rankine cycle in its base configuration and contemplates: a pump 20, a heat exchanger 30, a turbine 40 connected to an electric generator 50, a condenser 60.

[0037]Pump 20 admits the organic working fluid from condenser 60 into the heat exchanger 30. In the heat exchanger 30 the fluid is heated, evaporated and then fed in the vapour phase to turbine 40, where conversion of the thermal energy present in the working fluid into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy through generator 50 is carried out. Downstream of turbine...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for energy generation by organic Rankine cycle.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Apparatuses based on a thermodynamic Rankine cycle are known that convert thermal energy into mechanical and / or electric energy in a simple and reliable manner. In these (ORC) apparatus working fluids of the organic type (of high or medium molecular weight) are preferably used in place of the traditional water / vapour system, because an organic fluid is suitable for conversion of heat sources at relatively low temperatures, generally between 100° C. and 300° C., but also at higher temperatures, in a more efficient manner. The ORC conversion systems therefore have recently found increasingly wider applications in different sectors, such as in the geothermic field, in the industrial energy recovery, in apparatus for energy generation from biomasses and concentrated solar power (CSP), in regasifiers, etc.

[0003] An apparatus of known type for co...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0034]With reference to the mentioned figures, generally denoted at 10 is an apparatus for energy generation through the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) according to the present invention.

[0035]Apparatus 10 comprises an endless circuit in which an organic working fluid flows which has a high or medium molecular weight. This fluid can preferably be selected from the group comprising hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons and siloxanes.

[0036]FIG. 1 shows the circuit of the Rankine cycle in its base configuration and contemplates: a pump 20, a heat exchanger 30, a turbine 40 connected to an electric generator 50, a condenser 60.

[0037]Pump 20 admits the organic working fluid from condenser 60 into the heat exchanger 30. In the heat exchanger 30 the fluid is heated, evaporated and then fed in the vapour phase to turbine 40, where conversion of the thermal energy present in the working fluid into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy through generator 50 is carried out. Downstream of turbine...

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