Comparison between Organic Working Fluids in order to Improve Waste Heat Recovery from Internal Combustion Engines by means of Rankine Cycle Systems

Abstract

The present works deals with waste heat recovery from internal combustion engines using Rankine cycle systems where working fluid are organic liquids (ORC). The first part of the paper presents the ORC technology as one of the most suitable procedure for waste heat recovery from exhaust gas of internal combustion engine (ICE). The particular engine considered in the present work is a turbocharged compression ignition engine mounted on an experimental setup. The working fluids for ORC system are: isobutene, propane, RE245fa2, RE245cb2, R245fa, R236fa, R365mfc, R1233zd(E), R1234yf and R1234ze(Z). Experimental data derived from the experimental setup has been used for 40%, 55% and 70% engine load. This papers focusses on superheating increment, on thermal efficiency and on net power output, obtained with each working fluids in Rankine cycle. Results point out the superheating increment that gives the highest thermal efficiency for each working fluid. The highest thermal efficiency is achieved in case of using R1233zd(E) as working fluid. In case of using R1233zd(E) as working fluid at 40 % load of the engine, the output power of the Rankine cycle is 3.6 kW representing 6.2 %, from the rated power at this load; at 55% load it is 5.7 kW representing 6.7 % the rated power and at 70% it is 6.7 kW representing 6.5 % from the rated power. Future perspectives are given.