Small scale ORC plant modeling with the AMESim simulation tool: Analysis of working fluid and thermodynamic cycle parameters influence

ORC plant transient modeling is an actual issue for the correct assessment of the size of the various components of the system especially when unpredictable fluctuations of the inlet thermal flux are to be considered. This work shows the modeling procedure of a small scale (10-50 kW) Waste Heat Recovery ORC plant which uses an innovative expansion device derived from a Wankel engine. The numerical model here presented was developed with the simulation tools AMESim and simulates the transient behavior of such a small scale system in all its main components: preheater, evaporator, expansion device and condenser. The aims of this work were to evaluate the suitability of the Wankel-derived mechanism to ORC systems and to establish its optimal working conditions for the employment in a low-grade heat recovery system. The application of several working fluids as well as of various operating conditions are presented in this paper. The analysis of the transient response of the plant is also presented with a particular attention to start up operations.