Experimental investigation of a revolving vane expander in a micro-scale organic Rankine cycle system for low-grade waste heat recovery

Ali Naseri, Ramin Moradi, Stuart Norris and Alison Subiantoro

Energy, 2022, vol. 253, issue C

Abstract: Organic Rankine cycles (ORCs) are a reliable solution for power generation from low-temperature waste heat. While the ORC is a mature technology in medium to large scale applications, several challenges remain to be solved for its widespread adoption in micro-scale, including the development of a low-cost, reliable, and efficient expander. In this study, a modified revolving vane expander (M-RVE) prototype is experimentally tested in a micro-scale ORC system for the first time. The M-RVE is tested in the range of suction pressures of up to 13.0 bar(a), suction temperatures of up to 63 °C, and shaft speeds of up to 1850 rpm. The M-RVE demonstrated filling factors of 1.2–2.7, an isentropic efficiency of up to 42.5%, and shaft power of up to 134 W. The significant impacts of lubrication on the performance of the M-RVE are discussed. A comparable performance with existing expanders in the literature is achieved, especially at pressure ratios close to the expander built-in volume ratio. The results of this study provide better guidance for further use of the M-RVE in micro-scale ORC systems and provide a benchmark for future improvements of the M-RVE prototype.

Keywords: Revolving vane; Lubricated volumetric expander; Micro-scale ORC; Filling factor; Oil circulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:253:y:2022:i:c:s0360544222010775

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.124174

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