Experimental and Numerical Dynamic Investigation of an ORC System for Waste Heat Recovery Applications in Transportation Sector

Matteo Marchionni (), Fabio Fatigati, Marco Di Bartolomeo, Davide Di Battista and Mario Petrollese
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Matteo Marchionni: Institute of Energy Futures, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
Fabio Fatigati: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale Ernesto Pontieri, Monteluco di Roio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Marco Di Bartolomeo: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale Ernesto Pontieri, Monteluco di Roio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Davide Di Battista: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale Ernesto Pontieri, Monteluco di Roio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Mario Petrollese: Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Material Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-24

Abstract: ORC power units represent a promising technology for the recovery of waste heat in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), allowing to reduce emissions while keeping ICE performance close to expectations. However, the intrinsic transient nature of exhaust gases represents a challenge since it leads ORCs to often work in off-design conditions. It then becomes relevant to study their transient response to optimize performance and prevent main components from operating at inadequate conditions. To assess this aspect, an experimental dynamic analysis was carried out on an ORC-based power unit bottomed to a 3 L Diesel ICE. The adoption of a scroll expander and the control of the pump revolution speed allow a wide operability of the ORC. Indeed, the refrigerant mass flow rate can be adapted according to the exhaust gas thermal power availability in order to increase thermal power recovery from exhaust gases. The experimental data confirmed that when the expander speed is not regulated, it is possible to control the cycle maximum pressure by acting on the refrigerant flow rate. The experimental data have also been used to validate a model developed to extend the analysis beyond the experimental operating limits. It was seen that a 30% mass flow rate increase allowed to raise the plant power from 750 W to 830 W.

Keywords: organic Rankine cycle transient analysis; control strategy; ICE waste heat recovery; experimental analysis; scroll expander (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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