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Optimized geothermal binary power cycles

E. KONTOLEONTOS1,* , C. KARYTSAS2, D. MENDRINOS2, P. S. GEORGILAKIS3

Affiliation

  1. Parallel CFD and Optimization Unit, Laboratory of Thermal Turbomachines, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
  2. Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th Km Marathon Avenue, 19009 Athens, Greece
  3. Department of Production Engineering & Management, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100, Chania, Greece

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study and recommend optimal Rankine cycles using Isobutane (R600a) and R134a as working fluids for two geothermal binary power machines. The first one (ORC machine A) should be able to generate electricity from low temperature geothermal resources, with profitable operation down to 65°C. The second one (ORC machine B) should be able to cogenerate both heat and power by heat recovery from the cooling water circuit, corresponding to geothermal fluids of 120-150ºC and cooling water supplying a district heating system at 60/80ºC. The main Rankine Cycle parameters and components are modelled, such as the shell and tube condenser and the geothermal plate heat exchanger. The objectives of the optimization are maximizing overall conversion efficiency and minimizing the cost of the plant, which is represented as minimizing the exchangers’ surface. Through this research, a set of optimal solutions for ORC machines A and B are obtained that combine maximum plant’s efficiency and minimum cost..

Keywords

Geothermal binary power plant, Optimal Rankine cycles, Efficient low temperature geothermal binary power, Cogeneration of heat and power, Renewable energy sources.

Submitted at: March 13, 2008
Accepted at: May 14, 2008

Citation

E. KONTOLEONTOS, C. KARYTSAS, D. MENDRINOS, P. S. GEORGILAKIS, Optimized geothermal binary power cycles, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials Vol. 10, Iss. 5, pp. 1228-1232 (2008)