A review of solar-driven organic Rankine cycles: Recent challenges and future outlook. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loni, Reyhaneh; Mahian, Omid; Markides, Christos N.; Bellos, Evangelos; le Roux, Willem G.; Kasaeian, Ailbakhsh; Najafi, Gholamhassan; Rajaee, Fatemeh
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 150(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Solar organic rankine cycle -- Solar thermal collector -- Concentrating solar power -- Renewable energy systems -- Polygeneration; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is an effective technology for power generation from temperatures of up to 400 °C and for capacities of up to 10 MWel . The use of solar irradiation for driving an ORC is a promising renewable energy-based technology due to the high compatibility between the operating temperatures of solar thermal collector technologies and the temperature needs of the cycle. The objective of this review paper is to present and discuss the operation principles of solar-ORC technology and the wide range of solar-ORC systems that have been studied in the literature. Various solar thermal technologies that can drive the ORC are investigated, such as the flat plate collector, evacuated tube collector, compound parabolic collector, parabolic trough collector, linear Fresnel reflectors, dish concentrators and solar towers. Both simulation studies and experimental investigations are included in the study. Hybrid systems and different thermal storage techniques are also examined in detail. Moreover, systems with ORC which produce many useful outputs such as cooling, heating and fresh water are studied because they present high sustainability indexes. The limitations of the technology are also highlighted, along with critical suggestions aimed at steering future research in this field. The final conclusions indicate that the development of trigeneration and polygeneration systems with ORC sub-systems is a promising avenue, not only for the future development of solar-ORC technology but also for the development of renewable and sustainable energy systems in a broader context. Highlights: Solar driven organic Rankine cycles are summarized and discussed in detail. Concentrating and non-concentrating solar thermal systems are included. Parabolic trough collector is the best solar technology for power production. The use of solar organic Rankine cycles in polygeneration is a promising idea. There is a need for conducting future experimental studies in a great scale.