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Energy and exergy analysis of a double-flash geothermal-based organic Rankine cycle system

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  • Aryanfar, Yashar
  • Wu, Wei

Abstract

This study presents a double-flash geothermal power plant integrated with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), where the ORC design enhances waste heat recovery and overall efficiency. The ORC systems use various working fluids, such as R245fa, R600, and R452a, to quantify the energy and exergy efficiencies and environmental impacts of ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP). The results indicate that ORC integration significantly improves energy and exergy efficiencies, with maximum enhancements of 51 % in net power output and 22 % in energy efficiency compared to the standalone geothermal configuration. Regarding the working fluids, R245fa and R600 exhibited superior thermodynamic performance, achieving the highest energy efficiencies (15.67 % and 15.5 %) and exergy efficiencies (61.4 % and 60.79 %) while maintaining relatively low levels of exergy destruction. In contrast, R452a demonstrated the weakest performance across all evaluated metrics. Sensitivity analyses on separator and turbine outlet pressure identified optimal operating ranges for maximizing net power output and minimizing irreversibilities. These findings underscore the importance of working fluid selection and pressure optimization in designing high-efficiency geothermal-ORC hybrid systems and provide valuable insights for the sustainable development of geothermal energy technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Aryanfar, Yashar & Wu, Wei, 2026. "Energy and exergy analysis of a double-flash geothermal-based organic Rankine cycle system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:260:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126000121
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125187
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    References listed on IDEAS

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