IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i7p1699-d1622756.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effect of Working Fluid on Characteristics of Organic Rankine Cycle with Medium Temperature Geothermal Water

Author

Listed:
  • Zvonimir Guzović

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Zlatko Bačelić Medić

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Marina Budanko

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

The total installed geothermal power plant capacity at year-end 2023 was 16,335 MW, while the forecast for the installed capacity in 2025 is 19,331 MW. In Croatia, several medium-temperature geothermal resources (geothermal water) with temperatures from 90 to 200 °C exist, by means of which it is possible to produce electricity in binary plants, with the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) or with the Kalina cycle. In earlier studies, the authors presented the results of an energy-exergy analysis of geothermal sources at Velika Ciglena (170 °C), Lunjkovec-Kutnjak (140 °C), Babina Greda (125 °C), and Rečica (120 °C), aiming to determine which binary plant is more suitable for the environmental conditions in Croatia. The calculations indicate that the plant with ORC is thermodynamically superior to the one with the Kalina cycle for all geothermal sources. Taking into account the typical challenges faced by new technologies during their initial implementation, the authors recommend using the ORC plant for all medium-temperature geothermal sources. Literature on ORC applications mainly addresses working fluid selection, unit and plant optimization, and modifications to enhance thermodynamic efficiency or net power output. While many studies on working fluid selection exist, each geothermal source is unique due to its specific temperature and local cooling fluid (water or air). As a result, this paper presents the findings of an analysis on the influence of working fluids on the thermodynamic performance of an ORC system, focusing on the Lunjkovec-Kutnjak Geothermal Power Plant with a geothermal water temperature of 140 °C. As the working fluid, the next are analyzed: isopentane (C 5 H 12 ), isobutene (C 4 H 10 ), isohexane (C 6 H 14 ), R114 (C 2 Cl 2 F 4 ), R141B (C 2 H 3 Cl 2 F), and R142B (C 2 H 3 Cl 2 F 2 ). In respect to cycle efficiency and net power, all working fluids are equally favorable, but R601a (isopentane) with low ALT, ODP, and GWP, favorable upper and lower pressure, is the most suitable fluid for ORC with a medium-temperature geothermal source.

Suggested Citation

  • Zvonimir Guzović & Zlatko Bačelić Medić & Marina Budanko, 2025. "Effect of Working Fluid on Characteristics of Organic Rankine Cycle with Medium Temperature Geothermal Water," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:7:p:1699-:d:1622756
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1699/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1699/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guzović, Zvonimir & Majcen, Boris & Cvetković, Svetislav, 2012. "Possibilities of electricity generation in the Republic of Croatia from medium-temperature geothermal sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 404-414.
    2. Frick, Stephanie & Kaltschmitt, Martin & Schröder, Gerd, 2010. "Life cycle assessment of geothermal binary power plants using enhanced low-temperature reservoirs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2281-2294.
    3. Guzović, Z. & Lončar, D. & Ferdelji, N., 2010. "Possibilities of electricity generation in the Republic of Croatia by means of geothermal energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 3429-3440.
    4. Ibrahim, O.M., 1996. "Design considerations for ammonia-water rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 21(10), pages 835-841.
    5. Yari, Mortaza, 2010. "Exergetic analysis of various types of geothermal power plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 112-121.
    6. Rašković, Predrag & Stoiljković, Sreten, 2009. "Pinch design method in the case of a limited number of process streams," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 593-612.
    7. Hung, T.C. & Wang, S.K. & Kuo, C.H. & Pei, B.S. & Tsai, K.F., 2010. "A study of organic working fluids on system efficiency of an ORC using low-grade energy sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1403-1411.
    8. Kanoğlu, Mehmet & Çengel, Yunus A, 1999. "Economic evaluation of geothermal power generation, heating, and cooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 501-509.
    9. Borsukiewicz-Gozdur, Aleksandra & Nowak, Władysław, 2007. "Comparative analysis of natural and synthetic refrigerants in application to low temperature Clausius–Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 344-352.
    10. Bloomster, Clarence H. & Fassbender, Linda L., 1980. "The role of second law analysis in geothermal economics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 5(8), pages 839-851.
    11. Madhawa Hettiarachchi, H.D. & Golubovic, Mihajlo & Worek, William M. & Ikegami, Yasuyuki, 2007. "Optimum design criteria for an Organic Rankine cycle using low-temperature geothermal heat sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(9), pages 1698-1706.
    12. Rašković, Predrag & Guzović, Zvonimir & Cvetković, Svetislav, 2013. "Performance analysis of electricity generation by the medium temperature geothermal resources: Velika Ciglena case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 11-31.
    13. Morosuk, Tatiana & Tsatsaronis, George, 2008. "A new approach to the exergy analysis of absorption refrigeration machines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 890-907.
    14. Davis, Adelina P. & Michaelides, Efstathios E., 2009. "Geothermal power production from abandoned oil wells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 866-872.
    15. Angelino, Gianfranco & Colonna di Paliano, Piero, 1998. "Multicomponent Working Fluids For Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 449-463.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Guzović, Z. & Lončar, D. & Ferdelji, N., 2010. "Possibilities of electricity generation in the Republic of Croatia by means of geothermal energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 3429-3440.
    2. Shengjun, Zhang & Huaixin, Wang & Tao, Guo, 2011. "Performance comparison and parametric optimization of subcritical Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and transcritical power cycle system for low-temperature geothermal power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(8), pages 2740-2754, August.
    3. Bao, Junjiang & Zhao, Li, 2012. "Exergy analysis and parameter study on a novel auto-cascade Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 539-547.
    4. Florian Heberle & Dieter Brüggemann, 2015. "Thermo-Economic Evaluation of Organic Rankine Cycles for Geothermal Power Generation Using Zeotropic Mixtures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-28, March.
    5. Guzović, Zvonimir & Rašković, Predrag & Blatarić, Zoran, 2014. "The comparision of a basic and a dual-pressure ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle): Geothermal Power Plant Velika Ciglena case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 175-186.
    6. Zhao, Yajing & Wang, Jiangfeng, 2016. "Exergoeconomic analysis and optimization of a flash-binary geothermal power system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 159-170.
    7. Sun, Fengrui & Yao, Yuedong & Li, Guozhen & Li, Xiangfang, 2018. "Geothermal energy extraction in CO2 rich basin using abandoned horizontal wells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 760-773.
    8. Guo, T. & Wang, H.X. & Zhang, S.J., 2011. "Fluids and parameters optimization for a novel cogeneration system driven by low-temperature geothermal sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 2639-2649.
    9. Nian, Yong-Le & Cheng, Wen-Long, 2018. "Evaluation of geothermal heating from abandoned oil wells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 592-607.
    10. Keçebaş, Ali & Gökgedik, Harun, 2015. "Thermodynamic evaluation of a geothermal power plant for advanced exergy analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 746-755.
    11. Liu, Qiang & Duan, Yuanyuan & Yang, Zhen, 2013. "Performance analyses of geothermal organic Rankine cycles with selected hydrocarbon working fluids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 123-132.
    12. Bao, Junjiang & Zhao, Li, 2013. "A review of working fluid and expander selections for organic Rankine cycle," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 325-342.
    13. Tchanche, Bertrand F. & Lambrinos, Gr. & Frangoudakis, A. & Papadakis, G., 2011. "Low-grade heat conversion into power using organic Rankine cycles – A review of various applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 3963-3979.
    14. Guzović, Zvonimir & Majcen, Boris & Cvetković, Svetislav, 2012. "Possibilities of electricity generation in the Republic of Croatia from medium-temperature geothermal sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 404-414.
    15. Wang, Z.Q. & Zhou, N.J. & Guo, J. & Wang, X.Y., 2012. "Fluid selection and parametric optimization of organic Rankine cycle using low temperature waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 107-115.
    16. Zhai, Huixing & Shi, Lin & An, Qingsong, 2014. "Influence of working fluid properties on system performance and screen evaluation indicators for geothermal ORC (organic Rankine cycle) system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 2-11.
    17. Lee, Inkyu & Tester, Jefferson William & You, Fengqi, 2019. "Systems analysis, design, and optimization of geothermal energy systems for power production and polygeneration: State-of-the-art and future challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 551-577.
    18. Nian, Yong-Le & Cheng, Wen-Long, 2018. "Insights into geothermal utilization of abandoned oil and gas wells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 44-60.
    19. Ghasemi, Hadi & Paci, Marco & Tizzanini, Alessio & Mitsos, Alexander, 2013. "Modeling and optimization of a binary geothermal power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 412-428.
    20. Satanphol, K. & Pridasawas, W. & Suphanit, B., 2017. "A study on optimal composition of zeotropic working fluid in an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for low grade heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 326-339.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:7:p:1699-:d:1622756. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.