APPLICATION OF ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS TO DIESEL POWERED MARINE VESSELS

The analysis and results of an investigation of the application of organic Rankine cycle heat recovery systems to diesel-powered marine vessels are described.^The program under which this study was conducted was sponsored jointly by the US Energy Research and Development Administration, the US Navy, and the US Maritime Administration.^The overall objective of this study was to investigate diesel bottoming energy recovery systems, currently under development by three US concerns, to determine the potential for application to marine diesel propulsion and auxiliary systems.^The study primarily focused on identifying the most promising vessel applications (considering vessel type, size, population density, operational duty cycle, etc.) so the relative economic and fuel conservation merits of energy recovery systems could be determined and assessed.^Vessels in the current fleet and the projected 1985 fleet rated at 1000 BHP class and above were investigated.

SUNDSTRAND WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM

The two programs discussed in this report deal with the use of organic Rankine cycle systems as a means of producing electrical or mechanical power from energy in industrial processes’ exhaust. Both programs deal with the design, development, demonstration, and economic evaluation of a 600kWe organic Rankine cycle system designed to recover energy from the exhaust of industrial processes with exhaust gas temperatures of 600/sup 0/F or above. The work done has, through the successful operation of the units installed, demonstrated the technical feasibility of utilizing an organic Rankine cycle bottoming system as a means of conserving energy through waste heat utilization. Continued operation at several sites has also demonstrated the soundness of the design, overall system reliability, and low operating cost. In addition, the basis under which this technology is economically viable in industrial applications was established. As a result of market studies and experience gained from the application of the units addressed in this report, it is concluded that there is a significant market for the equipment at the installed cost level of $1200/kWe to $1500/kWe and that this goal is achievable in the proper manufacturing environment.

DEVELOPMENT OF A THERMALLY DRIVEN DIRECT ACTING ORGANIC RANKINE PUMP

The design, optimization, and laboratory testing of a solar-driven organic Rankine cycle water jump for irrigation are described. The computer model of the system used for optimization and performance analysis is described. The laboratory test successfully demonstrated the concept, and the conceptual design of a prototype pump is given. A market analysis for determining the solar pumps economic potential and design requirements is included.