Heat Exchanger Sizing for Organic Rankine Cycle

Approximately 45% of power generated by conventional power systems is wasted due to power conversion process limitations. Waste heat recovery can be achieved in an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) by converting low temperature waste heat into useful energy, at relatively low-pressure operating conditions. The ORC system considered in this study utilises R-1234yf as the working fluid; the work output and thermal efficiency were evaluated for several operational pressures. Plate and shell and tube heat exchangers were analysed for the three sections: preheater, evaporator and superheater for the hot side; and precooler and condenser for the cold side. Each heat exchanger section was sized using the appropriate correlation equations for single-phase and two-phase fluid models. The overall heat exchanger size was evaluated for optimal operational conditions. It was found that the plate heat exchanger out-performed the shell and tube in regard to the overall heat transfer coefficient and area.