Low-grade heat conversion into power using organic Rankine cycles – A review of various applications

An organic Rankine cycle (ORC) machine is similar to a conventional steam cycle energy conversion system, but uses an organic fluid such as refrigerants and hydrocarbons instead of water. In recent years, research was intensified on this device as it is being progressively adopted as premier technology to convert low-temperature heat resources into power. Available heat resources are: solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass products, surface seawater, and waste heat from various thermal processes. This paper presents existing applications and analyzes their maturity. Binary geothermal and binary biomass CHP are already mature. Provided the interest to recover waste heat rejected by thermal devices and industrial processes continue to grow, and favorable legislative conditions are adopted, waste heat recovery organic Rankine cycle systems in the near future will experience a rapid growth. Solar modular power plants are being intensely investigated at smaller scale for cogeneration applications in buildings but larger plants are also expected in tropical or Sahel regions with constant and low solar radiation intensity. OTEC power plants operating mainly on offshore installations at very low temperature have been advertised as total resource systems and interest on this technology is growing in large isolated islands.     

The Podhale geothermal reservoir simulation for long-term sustainable production

The Podhale geothermal system, located in the southern, mountainous part of Poland, is the most valuable reservoir of geothermal waters discovered in the country to date and the one with the highest capacities in Central and Eastern Europe. Over 20 years of continuous operation has proved its stable operating parameters – a small drop in pressure and an unnoticeable temperature change. Production of over 500 m³/h of geothermal water with an 86 °C wellhead temperature is current practise, while drilling a new production well and reconstruction of an injection well allows for production that may significantly exceed 600 m³/h. To utilize these vast resources, a binary power cycle for electricity and heat production is considered by group of researchers. The results of numerical modelling of heat extraction from the Podhale reservoir are presented in the article as a preliminary step to the detailed analysis of combined heat and power production through a binary power cycle.     

Geothermal energy use in hydrogen liquefaction

We propose the use of geothermal energy for hydrogen liquefaction, and investigate three possible cases for accomplishing such a task including (1) using geothermal output work as the input for a liquefaction cycle; (2) using geothermal heat in an absorption refrigeration process to precool the gas before the gas is liquefied in a liquefaction cycle; and (3) using part of the geothermal heat for absorption refrigeration to precool the gas and part of the geothermal heat to produce work and use it in a liquefaction cycle (i.e., cogeneration). A binary geothermal power plant is considered for power production while the precooled Linde–Hampson cycle is considered for hydrogen liquefaction. A liquid geothermal resource is considered and both ideal (i.e., reversible) and non-ideal (e.g., irreversible) system operations are analyzed. A procedure for such an investigation is developed and appropriate performance parameters are defined. Also, the effects of geothermal water temperature and gas precooling temperature on system performance parameters are studied. The results show that there is a significant amount of energy savings potential in the liquefaction work requirement as a result of precooling the gas in a geothermal absorption cooling system. Using geothermal energy in a cogeneration scheme (power production and absorption cooling) also provides significant advantages over the use of geothermal energy for power production only.     

Geothermal‐based hydrogen production using thermochemical and hybrid cycles: A review and analysis

Geothermal‐based hydrogen production, which basically uses geothermal energy for hydrogen production, appears to be an environmentally conscious and sustainable option for the countries with abundant geothermal energy resources. In this study, four potential methods are identified and proposed for geothermal‐based hydrogen production, namely: (i) direct production of hydrogen from the geothermal steam, (ii) through conventional water electrolysis using the electricity generated through geothermal power plant, (iii) by using both geothermal heat and electricity for high temperature steam electrolysis and/or hybrid processes, and (iv) by using the heat available from geothermal resource in thermochemical processes. Nowadays, most researches are focused on high‐temperature electrolysis and thermochemical processes. Here we essentially discuss some potential low‐temperature thermochemical and hybrid cycles for geothermal‐based hydrogen production, due to their wider practicality, and examine them as a sustainable option for hydrogen production using geothermal heat. We also assess their thermodynamic performance through energy and exergy efficiencies. The results show that these cycles have good potential and attractive overall system efficiencies over 50% based on a complete reaction approach. The copper‐chlorine cycle is identified as a highly promising cycle for geothermal‐hydrogen production. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A renewable energy scenario for Aalborg Municipality based on low-temperature geothermal heat, wind power and biomass

Aalborg Municipality, Denmark, wishes to investigate the possibilities of becoming independent of fossil fuels. This article describes a scenario for supplying Aalborg Municipality’s energy needs through a combination of low-temperature geothermal heat, wind power and biomass. Of particular focus in the scenario is how low-temperature geothermal heat may be utilised in district heating (DH) systems. The analyses show that it is possible to cover Aalborg Municipality’s energy needs through the use of locally available sources in combination with significant electricity savings, heat savings, reductions in industrial fuel use and savings and fuel-substitutions in the transport sector. With biomass resources being finite, the two marginal energy resources in Aalborg are geothermal heat and wind power. If geothermal heat is utilised more, wind power may be limited and vice versa. The system still relies on neighbouring areas as an electricity buffer though.     

Geothermal slim holes for small off-grid power projects

Economically viable, small (100 kW_e to 1000 kW_e), geothermal power generation units using slim holes are available for the production of electrical power in remote areas and for rural electrification in developing countries. Based on borehole data from geothermal fields in the United States and Japan, slim holes have been proven as adequate fuel sources for small-scale geothermal power plants (SSGPPs) and can deliver enough geothermal fluid to the wellhead in a baseload mode to be of practical interest for off-grid electrification projects. The electrical generating capacity of geothermal fluids which can be produced from typical slim holes (150-mm diameter or less), both by conventional, self-discharge, flash-steam methods for hotter geothermal reservoirs, and by binary-cycle technology with downhole pumps for low- to moderate-temperature reservoirs are estimated using a simplified theoretical approach. Depending mainly on reservoir temperature, the numerical simulations indicate that electrical capacities from a few hundred kilowatts to over one megawatt per slim hole are possible. In addition to the advantage of price per kilowatt-hour in off-grid applications, SSGPPs fueled by slim holes are far more environmentally benign than fossil-burning power plants, which is crucial in view of current worldwide climate-change concerns and burgeoning electricity demand in the less-developed and developing countries.     

Geothermal energy resources and development in Iran

Interest in geothermal energy originated in Iran when James R. McNitt, a United Nations geothermal expert, visited the country in December 1974. In 1975, a contract among the Ministry of Energy, ENEL (Entes Nazionale per L’Energia Elettrica) of Italy and TB (Tehran Berkeley) of Iran was signed for geothermal exploration in the north-western part of Iran. In 1983, the result of investigations defined Sabalan, Damavand, Khoy-Maku and Sahand regions as four prospected geothermal sites in north-western Iran.From 1996 to 1999, a countrywide geothermal energy resource exploration project was carried out by Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA) and 10 more potential areas were indicated additionally.Geothermal potential site selection using Geographic Information System (GIS) was carried out in Kyushu University in 2007. The results indicated 8.8% of Iran as prospected geothermal areas in 18 fields.Sabalan as a first priority of geothermal potential regions was selected for detailed explorations. Since 1995, surface exploration and feasibility studies have been carried out and five promising areas were defined. Among those prospective areas, Northwest Sabalan geothermal filed was defined for detailed exploration to justify exploration drilling and to estimate the reservoir characteristics and capacity.From 2002 to 2004, three deep exploration wells were drilled for evaluation of subsurface geological conditions, geothermal reservoir assessment and response simulation. Two of the wells were successful and a maximum temperature of 240 °C at a depth of 3197 m was recorded. As a result of the reservoir simulation, a 55-MW power plant is projected to be installed in the Sabalan field as a first in geothermal power generation. To supply the required steam for the geothermal power plant (GPP) 17 deep production and reinjection wells are planned to be drilled this year.     

Geoenergy in Poland

This paper presents the current state of geothermal energy production in Poland and its future development prospects. At present, there are four geothermal heating plants in Poland. In addition, warm water is used in seven spa towns in balneology as well as in seven thermal swimming pools for recreational purposes. There has recently been an increase in the number of installed heat pumps in Poland – reaching 10,000 in 2010. In the near future the development of geothermics in Poland is forecast to continue. The first power and heat geothermal plant is being built in Uniejów whilst in more than ten other towns special swimming pool complexes using geothermal warm water are being built or designed. In the coming years heat pumps will be installed in living and office buildings as well as in public use buildings (mostly in newly built ones). Moreover, in Poland it is planned to use heat pumps in order to recover waste heat from factories and power plants.     

Performance comparison and parametric optimization of subcritical Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and transcritical power cycle system for low-temperature geothermal power generation

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a promising technology for converting the low-grade energy to electricity. This paper presents an investigation on the parameter optimization and performance comparison of the fluids in subcritical ORC and transcritical power cycle in low-temperature (i.e. 80–100 °C) binary geothermal power system. The optimization procedure was conducted with a simulation program written in Matlab using five indicators: thermal efficiency, exergy efficiency, recovery efficiency, heat exchanger area per unit power output (APR) and the levelized energy cost (LEC). With the given heat source and heat sink conditions, performances of the working fluids were evaluated and compared under their optimized internal operation parameters. The optimum cycle design and the corresponding operation parameters were provided simultaneously. The results indicate that the choice of working fluid varies the objective function and the value of the optimized operation parameters are not all the same for different indicators. R123 in subcritical ORC system yields the highest thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of 11.1% and 54.1%, respectively. Although the thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of R125 in transcritical cycle is 46.4% and 20% lower than that of R123 in subcritical ORC, it provides 20.7% larger recovery efficiency. And the LEC value is relatively low. Moreover, 22032L petroleum is saved and 74,019 kg CO₂ is reduced per year when the LEC value is used as the objective function. In conclusion, R125 in transcritical power cycle shows excellent economic and environmental performance and can maximize utilization of the geothermal. It is preferable for the low-temperature geothermal ORC system. R41 also exhibits favorable performance except for its flammability.     

Performance and parametric investigation of a binary geothermal power plant by exergy

Exergy analysis of a binary geothermal power plant is performed using actual plant data to assess the plant performance and pinpoint sites of primary exergy destruction. Exergy destruction throughout the plant is quantified and illustrated using an exergy diagram, and compared to the energy diagram. The sites with greater exergy destructions include brine reinjection, heat exchanger and condenser losses. Exergetic efficiencies of major plant components are determined in an attempt to assess their individual performances. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the plant are 4.5% and 21.7%, respectively, based on the energy and exergy of geothermal water at the heat exchanger inlet. The energy and exergy efficiencies are 10.2% and 33.5%, respectively, based on the heat input and exergy input to the binary Rankine cycle. The effects of turbine inlet pressure and temperature and the condenser pressure on the exergy and energy efficiencies, the net power output and the brine reinjection temperature are investigated and the trends are explained.     

Dual-fluid-hybrid power plant co-powered by low-temperature geothermal water

Three variants of power plants fuelled or co-fuelled by geothermal water have been assessed, with the aim of making the best use of the energy contained in a stream of 80–120 °C geothermal water. Heat-flow calculations for three power plant types, namely an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plant, a dual-fluid-hybrid power plant and a single-fluid hybrid-fuelled power plant, are presented. The analysis shows the thermodynamic benefits, in terms of the extent of using the thermal energy of low-temperature geothermal water, that arise from utilizing hybrid and dual-fluid-hybrid power plants rather than ORC power plants. The dual-fluid plant optimizes the use of the geothermal water, but the hybrid plant makes the best overall utilization of the energy compared to separate ORC and fuel-fired plants.     

Low-temperature geothermal energy use in Iceland

The results are given of a recent survey of the utilization of geothermal energy produced in low-temperature areas in Iceland. About 70% of Icelanders enjoyed geothermal district heating in 1979 and in the next 3–5 years this percentage should increase to about 80%. Most of the district heating systems receive hot water from low-temperature (reservoir temperature less than 150°C) geothermal areas. In late 1980 the thermal power above 15°C used for district heating amounted to 850 MW while the total low-temperature use was about 950 MW-thermal.     

Potential methods for geothermal-based hydrogen production

In this study, four potential methods are identified for geothermal-based hydrogen production, namely, (i) directly from the geothermal steam, (ii) through conventional water electrolysis using the electricity generated from geothermal power plant, (iii) using both geothermal heat and electricity for high temperature steam electrolysis and/or hybrid processes, (iv) using the heat available from geothermal resource in thermochemical processes to disassociate water into hydrogen and oxygen. Here we focus on relatively low-temperature thermochemical and hybrid cycles, due to their greater application possibility, and examine them as a potential option for hydrogen production using geothermal heat. We also present a brief thermodynamic analysis to assess their performance through energy and exergy efficiencies for comparison purposes. The results show that these cycles have good potential and become attractive due to the overall system efficiencies over 50%. The copper–chlorine cycle is identified as a highly promising cycle for geothermal hydrogen production. Furthermore, three types of industrial electrolysis methods, which are generally considered for hydrogen production currently, are also discussed and compared with the above mentioned cycles.     

Determination of·fouling factors for shell-and-tube type heat exchangers exposed to los azufres geothermal fluids

According to the latest estimates, there are about 1500 geothermal sites in Mexico, ninety percent of which can probably produce low enthalpy fluids only. Hot water discarded from geothermal flash plants adds to this stock which represents a considerable source of thermal energy. Its utilization for direct industrial applications or electricity generation through binary cycles requires heat exchangers.The IIE, with the financial support and technical cooperation of CFE, has for some time been experimenting with heaters of different types subject to geothermal brines. This paper describes the work done to date and the preliminary results obtained.     

Practical experience in the reinjection of cooled thermal waters back into sandstone reservoirs

Intensive investigations into the utilisation of the geothermal potential of the North German Basin began in the early 1980s. The first production and reinjection tests from/into sandstone reservoirs started in 1982 and led to the commissioning of the first geothermal heating plant for heat supply to a residential area in the town of Waren (Müritz) in 1984. More plants were put into operation in Neubrandenburg, Neustadt-Glewe and Berlin. The use of these sandstone reservoirs for heat storage produced new technical solutions. A precise knowledge of the geological and geochemical conditions forms an essential prerequisite for the successful planning, construction and operation of geothermal plants. This paper describes the geological and geochemical conditions, as well as the technical solutions and practical experience acquired so far.     

Waste heat disposal from U.S. geothermal power plants—An update

Dissipation of the heat rejected from geothermal power plants is a major concern because the inherently low efficiencies result in heat rejection rates that are three to four times greater per kW of installed capacity than is typical of fossil- or nuclear-fueled stations. The most cost-effective methods of waste heat dissipation involve the evaporation of water, yet most of the important hydrothermal resources of the U.S. are located in areas where cooling tower makeup water for power plants is in short supply. Flashed-steam power cycles can use condensate derived from the geofluid for tower makeup unless reinjection is necessary, as is already required at some sites. Condensate is not available from binary cycles because the geofluid is reinjected. Geothermal station makeup water requirements have been estimated at 50–100 m³/yr per kW of electrical capacity. Some of the more interesting and significant methods that are currently being studied in the U.S. for reducing waste heat dissipation system costs and water consumption are (1) allowing plant power output to vary with ambient conditions, (2) use of ammonia to transport waste heat from the turbine condenser to air-cooled coils, (3) development of a plastic-membrane type wet/dry tower, (4) marketing of steam turbines that can tolerate a wider range of back pressures, (5) use of circulating water storage to delay heat dissipation until more favourable ambient conditions exist, (6) development of tubes with enhanced heat transfer surfaces to reduce condenser capital costs, and (7) use of evaporative condensers to reduce costs in binary cycles. Many of these projects involve large-scale tests that are now installed and producing some preliminary data. Definitive results from some of the tests may not be available until mid-1982 or later.     

Binary dual-flashing geothermal power plants

A new type of geothermal power plant is proposed and analysed, which combines the advantages of the binary and the dual-flashing units. This combination avoids some of the shortcomings of conventional binary plants. At their optimum conditions these binary dual-flashing plants may produce up to 40% more work than a conventional binary optimized unit. Any fluid with suitable thermodynamic properties may be used as secondary fluid. For this study ammonia, freon-12 and isobutane have been used in the secondary Rankine cycle. Two parameters are optimized in the binary dual-flashing plant, namely the temperature of evaporation and the dryness fraction in the evaporator. The optimization procedure and the governing equations for the operation of the new plants are described in the paper.     

Performance of power plants with organic Rankine cycles under part-load and off-design conditions

Low-grade heat can be converted to electricity using power plants based on conventional Rankine cycles but with an organic Rankine fluid. Design and construction of such plants have been known for a long time and they are now a commericial reality. Applications include industrial waste heat recovery systems, solar thermal systems, low-temperature geothermal power plants, stand-alone electricity generators like those used for cathodic protection of pipelines, etc. In the past, simulation studies of such systems have usually suffered from the lack of an efficient, reliable and fast algorithm to predict system performance under part-load and off-design conditions. In this study, an efficient algorithm is introduced to simulate ORC Plant performance and the part-load and off-design efficiencies of ORC Plants.     

Ideal thermal efficiency for geothermal binary plants

The Carnot cycle is reviewed as to its appropriateness to serve as the ideal model for geothermal binary power plants. It is shown that the Carnot cycle sets an unrealistically high upper limit on the thermal efficiency of these plants. A more useful model is the triangular (or trilateral) cycle because binary plants operating on geothermal hot water use a non-isothermal heat source. The triangular cycle imposes a lower upper bound on the thermal efficiency and serves as a more meaningful ideal cycle against which to measure the performance of real binary cycles. Carnot and triangular cycle efficiencies are contrasted and the thermal efficiencies of several actual binary cycles are weighed against those of the ideal triangular cycle to determine their relative efficiencies. It is found that actual binary plants can achieve relative efficiencies as high as 85%. The paper briefly discusses cycles using two-phase expanders that in principle come close to the ideal triangular cycle.