ORC

FROM HEAT TO ELECTRICITY
Turbine ORC Enertime pour Energie Circulaire

THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION

Designed, developed and operated by Enertime for over 10 years, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technologies use the principles of thermodynamics to transform heat into electricity.

With an efficiency of more than 20%, it is possible to recover the high temperature heat from the fluids (smoke, gas, water, etc.) rejected by industrial processes without CO2 emissions thanks to ORC technologies.

FUNCTION PRINCIPLE

ORC systems operate with two fluid circuit. The first fluid, which is often thermal oil, recovers fumes’ waste heat thanks to a first heat exchanger. This hot fluid transfers heat to a second fluid which turns into steam and makes the system work.

The steam produced is then expanded in a turbine to produce mechanical energy. Then, it is transformed into electricity thanks to an alternator, to finally be condensed and close the thermodynamic cycle that operates in a closed circuit (see diagram below).

Fonctionnement de l'ORC
Maintenance d’un ORC – Energie Circulaire

MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION

In terms of energy efficiency as well as economic profitability, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is the best solution to produce electricity from waste heat. It is 20% profitable for more than 300°C sources even at low power with discontinuous flows of hot gases.

 The ORC is insensitive to gas temperature variations and hot gas flows, which greatly simplifies the machine’s maintenance. Thus, there is no need for specialized personnel for daily maintenance (so-called level 1 maintenance), but only for more specific interventions (level 2, 3 or 4 maintenance).

 In addition, ORC machines have particularly low operating costs and do not consume any water. The organic fluids’ characteristics allow ORC to operate under all conditions without any risk of damaging the turbine or strongly penalizing the efficiency (there is no condensation possibility in the turbine).

EXPLANATORY DIAGRAM

Diagram : operation of an ORC to recover industrial waste heat