Utilizing Computational Methods to Identify Low GWP Working Fluids for ORC Systems

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power cycle is a well-established solution for harnessing heat sources to generate energy. Presently, ORC systems predominantly employ hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as working fluids. However, these substances possess significant greenhouse gas effects and are slated for future bans. To address this, it is imperative to establish rational selection criteria and corresponding techniques for evaluating working fluids suitable for industrial ORC applications. This chapter presents the working fluid selection criteria and screening methods for environmentally friendly working fluids. The chapter is organized as follows: (1) The fundamentals of working fluids section provide a broad introduction to the core principles of working fluids; (2) the working fluid section outlines reasonable selection criteria for identifying potential alternatives; (3) the screening of ORC working fluids section discusses possible working fluid candidates, simulation approach, and thermodynamic models in detail, which is very important to access the thermodynamic performance of ORC cycle; and (4) an example of the simulation of an ORC for working fluid selection section demonstrates the strategy for the selection of a working fluid considering a defined ORC architecture.