Modeling and experimental investigation of an Organic Rankine Cycle using scroll expander for small scale solar applications

Abstract

peer reviewedThis study aims at developing and optimizing an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for a small scale, decentralized parabolic trough system. A numerical model the Organic Rankine Cycle is developed and an experimental study is carried out on an ORC prototype working with refrigerant HCFC-123, and whose heat sources consist in two hot air flows. The ORC model is built by connecting different sub-models: the heat exchanger models, a volumetric pump model and a scroll expander model. Measured performances of the ORC prototype are presented and allow the validation of the ORC model