Small-scale Organic Rankine Cycle for Domestic Biomass Fueled Combined Heat and Power Applications

orc2019 Tracking Number 99

Environmental concerns have made increase the interest on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Domestic buildings are one of the main fields of energy consumption, mainly in the form of electricity and heating systems. Therefore, the use of Combined Heat and Power systems and renewable energy sources in domestic applications is a very interesting option to reduce fossil fuels consumption. Organic Rankine Cycle is one of the most attractive technologies in terms of low temperature and small-scale applications, producing not only electricity but also useful heat through the exploitation of the condensation thermal power. This paper presents the preliminary tests of a small-scale ORC for domestic biomass fueled Combined Heat and Power applications using commercial biomass boilers. This system has been conceived to operate as a CHP technology, using the thermal energy provided by the condenser for domestic heating, with outlet water temperatures up to 45ºC. The main characteristics on the ORC will be presented with a basic cycle configuration and using HFC-245fa as working fluid. The system has been designed for a maximum electrical output of 1.5 kW.