Experimental Investigation into the Energy Performance of a Biomass Recuperative Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for Micro-Scale Applications in Design and Off-Design Conditions

Luigi Falbo, Angelo Algieri (), Pietropaolo Morrone and Diego Perrone
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Luigi Falbo: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Angelo Algieri: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Pietropaolo Morrone: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Diego Perrone: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-23

Abstract: Increasing energy efficiency and promoting the use of sustainable energy sources are crucial for addressing global energy challenges. Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) technology offers a promising route for efficient decentralised power generation. This study examines the energy performance of a biomass-fired recuperative ORC for micro-scale applications. The investigation proposes an extensive experimental analysis to characterise the ORC behaviour under design and off-design conditions due to the limited data in the literature. The work examines the impact of different operating parameters (e.g., pump speed, hot source temperature, superheating degree, expander inlet pressure) to provide suitable insights for the efficient design and operation of recuperative micro-generation units fuelled by biomass. The experimental analysis highlights that the micro-scale ORC properly operates under a wide range of operating conditions. Electric power ranges between 0.37 kW and 2.30 kW, and the maximum net electric efficiency reaches 8.55%. The selection of the proper operating conditions guarantees efficiency higher than 7% for power larger than 800 W, demonstrating that biomass-fired recuperative ORC systems represent a valuable option for low-carbon micro-scale generation, with good performance in design and off-design conditions. For this purpose, the pump speed and the superheating degree at the expander inlet are essential parameters to maximise the performance of the investigated recuperative ORC.

Keywords: biomass; efficiency; experimental analysis; low-carbon generation; micro-scale applications; off-design conditions; ORC; recuperative cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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