Thermodynamic Performance Analysis and Design of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Driven by Solar Energy for Power Generation

Abdulmalik Alkotami ()
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Abdulmalik Alkotami: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-20

Abstract: Energy is crucial for the development of the newest technologies that support human life and its needs, as well as industry and its uses. Due to the growing demand for energy, it is very important to find appropriate and excellent solutions, methods, and technologies in terms of environmental and economic impact. The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is optimal for power generation in today’s environmental and economic considerations. In this paper, the thermodynamic performance analysis and design of an ORC driven by solar energy for power generation were investigated. This study included the installation of the system for solar energy, where the thermal energy is used as an input for the organic Rankine cycle. Five different systems were developed as follows: basic (ORC), recuperative (ORC), regenerative (ORC), recuperative–regenerative (RR) (ORC), and basic (ORC) with reheat. Also, five different types of working fluids, toluene, R123, R11, n-pentane, and R141b used to compare the effect of changing parameters such as the temperature of the evaporator, temperature of condenser, difference in superheated temperature, and pressure of regenerative and reheat. The RR ORC system using toluene as a working fluid showed the best results for power, efficiency, and cost savings, which were 128.7 kW, 25.83%, and $1872/month, respectively.

Keywords: solar energy; organic Rankine cycle; power generation; renewable energy; solar collector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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