Parametric optimization and thermodynamic performance comparison of single-pressure and dual-pressure evaporation organic Rankine cycles

Dual-pressure evaporation organic Rankine cycle (ORC) involves two evaporation processes with different pressures, and can significantly reduce the exergy loss in the heat absorption process compared with conventional single-pressure evaporation ORCs. However, the applicable heat source temperatures of dual-pressure evaporation ORCs and the effects of the working fluid thermophysical properties on the applicable conditions remain indeterminate. Optimal cycle parameters for various heat source temperatures also need to be studied. Solving these questions is crucial for the application and promotion of dual-pressure evaporation ORCs. This study focuses on a typical dual-pressure evaporation ORC driven by the 100–200 °C heat sources without a limit on the outlet temperature. Nine pure organic fluids were selected as working fluids. Evaporation pressures and evaporator outlet temperatures of the single-pressure and dual-pressure evaporation ORCs were optimized, and their optimized system thermodynamic performance was compared. Results show that the applicable heat source temperature range of the dual-pressure evaporation ORC (Wnet,dual>Wnet,single) generally increases as the working fluid critical temperature increases. The upper limit of the applicable heat source temperatures (THS,in_TP), working fluid critical temperature and pinch point temperature difference generally conform to a linear relation. For the heat source temperature below THS,in_TP, the maximized net power output of the dual-pressure evaporation ORC is larger than that of the single-pressure evaporation ORC. Furthermore, the increment generally increases as the heat source temperature decreases, and the maximum increments are 21.4–26.7% for nine working fluids. For the heat source temperature above THS,in_TP, the dual-pressure evaporation ORC is unbefitting.