Analysis of a solar assisted micro-cogeneration ORC system

Abstract

In this work, three solar assisted thermodynamic cycles for a micro-cogeneration system with a power output of 5 kW are studied. The thermodynamic cycles are based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and the operating temperatures of solar thermal collectors are 80°C, 100°C-150°C and 200°-250°C, for cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The main work objective was to model the selected cycles for optimisation according to the temperature range. The performance of several fluids was evaluated from a thermal and an economical point of view. The integration of the micro-cogeneration system with solar thermal collectors was evaluated and solar fractions were calculated for the climatic conditions of Almeria (Spain), Tunis (Tunis) and Cairo (Egypt).