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Experimental Characterization of Commercial Scroll Expander for Micro-Scale Solar ORC Application: Part 1

Author

Listed:
  • Maurizio De Lucia

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Giacomo Pierucci

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Maria Manieri

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Gianmarco Agostini

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Emanuele Giusti

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Michele Salvestroni

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Francesco Taddei

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Filippo Cottone

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

  • Federico Fagioli

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Firenze, via di Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy)

Abstract

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve global decarbonisation, it is essential to find sustainable and renewable alternatives for electricity production. In this context, the development of distributed generation systems, with the use of thermodynamic and photovoltaic solar energy, wind energy and smart grids, is fundamental. ORC power plants are the most appropriate systems for low-grade thermal energy recovery and power conversion, combining solar energy with electricity production. The application of a micro-scale ORC plant, coupled with Parabolic Trough Collectors as a thermal source, can satisfy domestic user demand in terms of electrical and thermal power. In order to develop a micro-scale ORC plant, a commercial hermetic scroll compressor was tested as an expander with HFC-245fa working fluid. The tests required the construction of an experimental bench with monitoring and control sensors. The aim of this study is the description of the scroll performances to evaluate the application and develop optimization strategies. The maximum isentropic effectiveness is reached for an expansion ratio close to the volumetric expansion ratio of the scroll, and machine isentropic effectiveness presents small variations in a wide range of working conditions. The filling factor is always higher than one, due to leakage in the mechanical seals of the scroll or other inefficiencies. This study demonstrates that using a commercial scroll compressor as an expander within an ORC system represents a valid option for such applications, but it is necessary to improve the mechanical seals of the machine and utilize a dedicated control strategy to obtain the maximum isentropic effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurizio De Lucia & Giacomo Pierucci & Maria Manieri & Gianmarco Agostini & Emanuele Giusti & Michele Salvestroni & Francesco Taddei & Filippo Cottone & Federico Fagioli, 2024. "Experimental Characterization of Commercial Scroll Expander for Micro-Scale Solar ORC Application: Part 1," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:9:p:2205-:d:1388289
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bracco, Roberto & Clemente, Stefano & Micheli, Diego & Reini, Mauro, 2013. "Experimental tests and modelization of a domestic-scale ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 107-116.
    2. Zhang, Hong-Hu & Zhang, Yi-Fan & Feng, Yong-Qiang & Chang, Jen-Chieh & Chang, Chao-Wei & Xi, Huan & Gong, Liang & Hung, Tzu-Chen & Li, Ming-Jia, 2023. "The parametric analysis on the system behaviors with scroll expanders employed in the ORC system: An experimental comparison," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    3. Feng, Yong-qiang & Xu, Jing-wei & He, Zhi-xia & Hung, Tzu-Chen & Shao, Meng & Zhang, Fei-yang, 2022. "Numerical simulation and optimal design of scroll expander applied in a small-scale organic rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    4. Campana, Claudio & Cioccolanti, Luca & Renzi, Massimiliano & Caresana, Flavio, 2019. "Experimental analysis of a small-scale scroll expander for low-temperature waste heat recovery in Organic Rankine Cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
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