A parametric analysis of the performance of organic rankine cycle with heat recovery exchanger and its statistical evaluation

Abstract

In this study, the performance of a case study of Organic Rankine Cycle with heat recovery exchanger using different fluids is analyzed. As the fluids worked in the cycle, the commonly used R134a, R236fa, R245fa, R600a, R717 and R718 are preferred. Cycle performances of the selected fluids are compared based on both the heat source’s temperature that changes between 80°C and 109°C and the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, the contribution ratios and the order of importance of the parameters affecting the performance of the cycle are evaluated using the Taguchi statistical method. As a result, the effect of the waste-heat source temperature on the performance of the system is greater than the other parameters examined, and the contribution ratio of this parameter is determined as 59.80%. However, effectiveness of heat exchanger is found to be the least effective parameter and the effect ratio is calculated as 2.18%. In addition, the best and worst operating conditions are determined from the statistical analysis, and in these conditions, the thermal efficiencies of the Organic Rankine Cycle are obtained as 15.26% and 8.61%, respectively.