Short answer

Instead of designing bespoke turbines for every low-grade heat ORC application, explore adapting existing, commercially available turbines using advanced analysis techniques, while being mindful of potential efficiency losses.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) (2015)
Method: Numerical simulation and comparative analysis
Evidence: Moderate effect

By employing a 'Design-to-Resource' (DTR) methodology combined with an adaptive strategy for existing turbines, the economic feasibility of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems for low-grade heat sources can be significantly improved. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury). Using Numerical simulation and comparative analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Instead of designing bespoke turbines for every low-grade heat ORC application, explore adapting existing, commercially available turbines using advanced analysis techniques, while being mindful of potential efficiency losses.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Adapting Off-the-Shelf Turbines for Low-Grade Heat Sources Boosts ORC System Viability

University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) · 2015

Key Findings

01Off-the-shelf radial inflow turbines are adaptable for ORC applications, though efficiency may decrease.
02Automotive turbochargers adapted for ORC showed efficiency deterioration up to 20%, while gas turbines showed up to 10% deterioration when changing working fluid from air to refrigerants.
03Turbine efficiency deteriorates with increasing expansion ratios when supersonic expansion is required, as many off-the-shelf turbines are designed for sub-sonic flow.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing an ORC system for a low-grade heat source, investigate the feasibility of using adapted automotive turbochargers or small gas turbines. Use CFD and meanline analysis to predict performance and efficiency losses, and select turbines that are closest to the required operating parameters.

Project actions

01When selecting components for your design project, consider off-the-shelf options that can be adapted.
02Use simulation software to predict the performance of adapted components under your specific project conditions.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can an adaptive turbine strategy be integrated into a Design-to-Resource (DTR) methodology to optimize Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems for low-grade heat sources using off-the-shelf components?

MethodNumerical simulation and comparative analysis

ProcedureA Design-to-Resource (DTR) methodology was developed, incorporating a 'SMC turbine adaptive strategy' that utilizes similarity analysis, meanline analysis, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This strategy was applied to adapt off-the-shelf radial inflow turbines for various low-grade heat resource conditions in ORC systems. Performance was evaluated through numerical studies.

ContextEnergy recovery systems, specifically Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) for low-grade heat sources (e.g., industrial waste heat, geothermal).

Variables

IVTurbine type (automotive turbocharger, gas turbine), working fluid, expansion ratio.

DVTurbine efficiency, performance characteristics.

CVOriginal turbine design parameters, heat source conditions (implied).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Integrates multiple analysis techniques (similarity, meanline, CFD) for a comprehensive approach.
+Applies the methodology to practical ORC system design for low-grade heat.

Limitations

The efficiency loss is an estimate; real-world performance might differ due to manufacturing tolerances, wear, and specific installation factors.

Reliability & validity

Reliability would depend on the consistency of the simulation software and the accuracy of the input parameters. Validity is supported by the use of multiple analysis methods (similarity, meanline, CFD) and application to practical scenarios, though direct experimental validation is not detailed.

Think critically

To what extent does the 'SMC turbine adaptive strategy' generalize across different types of turbines and working fluids beyond those tested in the study?

Design Principles

"Leverage existing component designs and adaptive strategies to reduce development cost and time for specialized energy systems."

This approach addresses the challenge of designing custom turbines for niche applications, which is often prohibitively expensive. It allows for the repurposing of readily available turbine technology, reducing development costs and time-to-market for energy recovery systems.

What This Means for Your Design

You can save money and time by using existing turbine parts in your energy recovery projects, but you need to check how well they will work and if they might be less efficient than a custom-made one.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the economic viability of your design choices, particularly if you are adapting existing components.
2.Use the findings on efficiency deterioration to justify any performance trade-offs in your design.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The adaptation of off-the-shelf turbines for specialized applications, such as Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) utilizing low-grade heat sources, presents a viable strategy for reducing development costs and time. Research by Wong (2015) demonstrated that by employing a Design-to-Resource (DTR) methodology coupled with an adaptive strategy, existing turbines could be repurposed. However, this adaptation can lead to efficiency degradations, with automotive turbochargers experiencing up to a 20% drop and gas turbines up to 10% when their working fluids are changed. This highlights the critical need for thorough simulation and analysis to predict performance impacts and ensure the economic feasibility of such design choices.

Source

University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury)

Design-to-Resource (DTR) using SMC Turbine Adaptive Strategy : Design Process of Low Temperature Organic Rankine Cycle (LT-ORC)

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about adapting off-the-shelf turbines for low-grade heat sources boosts orc system viability?: Instead of designing bespoke turbines for every low-grade heat ORC application, explore adapting existing, commercially available turbines using advanced analysis techniques, while being mindful of potential efficiency losses. Evidence: University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) (2015).
Why does "Adapting Off-the-Shelf Turbines for Low-Grade Heat Sources Boosts ORC System Viability" matter for design?: This approach addresses the challenge of designing custom turbines for niche applications, which is often prohibitively expensive. It allows for the repurposing of readily available turbine technology, reducing development costs and time-to-market for energy recovery systems.
How can designers apply this research?: Instead of designing bespoke turbines for every low-grade heat ORC application, explore adapting existing, commercially available turbines using advanced analysis techniques, while being mindful of potential efficiency losses.
What were the main findings?: Off-the-shelf radial inflow turbines are adaptable for ORC applications, though efficiency may decrease.. Automotive turbochargers adapted for ORC showed efficiency deterioration up to 20%, while gas turbines showed up to 10% deterioration when changing working fluid from air to refrigerants.. Turbine efficiency deteriorates with increasing expansion ratios when supersonic expansion is required, as many off-the-shelf turbines are designed for sub-sonic flow.
What research method was used?: Numerical simulation and comparative analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing an ORC system for a low-grade heat source, investigate the feasibility of using adapted automotive turbochargers or small gas turbines. Use CFD and meanline analysis to predict performance and efficiency losses, and select turbines that are closest to the required operating parameters.
What are the limitations?: The study relies on numerical simulations, and actual performance may vary. The efficiency deterioration is quantified for specific turbine types and working fluids; broader applicability needs further investigation. The impact of wear and tear on adapted turbines is not considered.