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Multi-objective optimisation and comparison of solar-liquefied natural gas expansion cycle combined organic Rankine cycles under three distribution pressures

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  • Zhang, Han
  • Mao, Huiming

Abstract

The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is a technically feasible way for solar power recovery. However, current ORC-related optimisation studies only incorporate a limited range of variables and working fluids, and often focus only on a single configuration. A combined ORC system utilising both solar energy and the heating energy of liquefied natural gas expansion cycle is studied. A two-objective optimisation is conducted under three typical natural gas distribution pressures: 3 MPa, 5.5 MPa, and 8 MPa. The optimisation comprehensively includes as many as 9 independent variables, 12 working fluid candidates, and 16 system configurations. Two typical cases (the maximum case and the balanced case) are further analysed in terms of parameters, objectives, mass flow rate and exergy destruction. Results show that the balanced case optimum solution can yield as high as 84.53% system efficiency with only 14.04% UA compared with those in the maximum case. R123 is the optimum working fluid in both the maximum case and the balanced case under all three distribution pressures. There is an increase in the effectiveness with the increasing distribution pressure, and the effectiveness in the maximum case is significantly higher than that in the balanced case. Under each distribution pressure, the ORC mass flow rates in the maximum case are slightly higher than those in the balanced case. A minimal exergy destruction of 659.67 kJ is achieved in the maximum case under the distribution pressure of 8 MPa.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Han & Mao, Huiming, 2026. "Multi-objective optimisation and comparison of solar-liquefied natural gas expansion cycle combined organic Rankine cycles under three distribution pressures," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:342:y:2026:i:c:s0360544225054313
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139788
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    References listed on IDEAS

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