cycle (ERC) work?
Did you know that electricity can be generated from the heat that is wasted every day in factories and power plants? Have you ever thought that the energy that comes out silently and unused by the exhaust of the machines can be revived and converted into electricity? In a world where we are moving more and more towards optimizing energy consumption and resource recycling every day, technologies like the organic Rankin cycle (ERC) have become very important. Relying on the use of waste heat, this intelligent system is able to generate electricity from previously unused sources. But how exactly does this technology work? What steps does it take to turn wasted heat into electricity?
How does the organic Rankin cycle (ERC) work? Check the steps
At first glance, the Rankin cycle may seem similar to other thermal cycles. But the fact is that this system is one of the smartest ways to generate electricity from unusable sources due to its use of specific fluids and precise design. The cycle operates in four distinct stages: evaporation, turbine movement, distillation and re-pumping. Each stage is carefully engineered to extract as much energy as possible from the waste heat. Next, we’ll look closely at each of these steps to determine why ERC is recognized as a revolutionary technology in different industries.
Step one: evaporation
The starting point in the organic Rankin cycle is the evaporation stage. At this point, the heat dissipation generated from various sources such as diesel engines, gas turbines or even furnace outlets enters the heat exchanger or evaporator. In this converter, heat is transferred to the organic fluid. Unlike water that requires high temperatures to evaporate, fluids such as R245fa or Pentane vaporize at lower temperatures. This feature makes even heat, which is useless at first glance, a reliable source of energy production. The importance of this step is that without the need to burn fossil fuels, existing heat can be converted into usable energy.
In this part of the cycle, fluid selection is of great importance. A fluid should be selected that has a suitable boiling point according to the temperature of the heat source so that the evaporation process is carried out with maximum efficiency. Precision heat exchanger engineering also plays an important role at this stage. The design of the thermal exchange level, material Sex and fluid flow rate all have a direct impact on the final performance. In fact, the correct operation of this sector will ensure efficient energy production in the later stages of the cycle.
Stage two: turbine
After evaporation, the generated steam enters the turbine, where the conversion of heat into mechanical energy occurs. Organic fluid vapor hits the turbine blades at high speed and rotates it. This rotation produces mechanical energy that is easily converted into electrical energy. The precise design of the turbine is very important at this stage, since the pressure and temperature of the incoming Steam must coincide with the technical characteristics of the turbine in order to benefit from maximum efficiency.
At this point, a big advantage of ERC over traditional systems is revealed: because the fluid has a lower boiling point, the turbine’s operating pressure is also lower and therefore has less mechanical wear. This feature increases the useful life of the equipment and reduces maintenance costs. On the other hand, the stable and continuous rotation of the turbine guarantees uniform and reliable electricity generation for industrial applications or local energy distribution.
Step three: the Condenser.
After the fluid vapor in the turbine loses its mechanical energy, it enters the next stage, the condenser. Here, the hot steam is cooled by passing through another heat exchanger and re-liquefied. This process reusable steam and helps the closed system of the organic Rankine cycle to operate continuously without the need for frequent fluid supply. The lower ambient temperature or the use of cooling water is of great importance at this stage.
Using the right condenser increases the efficiency of the entire system. If the condenser does not work well, the Steam will not completely convert to liquid and the cycle efficiency will decrease. For this reason, engineers in the design of this part of the ERC system pay special attention to the choice of materials and thermal capacity. Interestingly, the Heat lost at this stage can be reused in side applications such as ambient heating, which again increases overall efficiency.
Step four: pump.
The final stage in the organic Rankin cycle is the pump stage. At this point, the organic fluid converted into liquid is pushed up by a pump and sent back to the evaporator to restart the cycle. The pump plays a key role at this stage, as it must provide the pressure necessary for the fluid to enter the heat exchanger, and at the same time, its energy consumption must also be optimal.
The pumps used in the ERC system usually have a special design so that they can create the most pressure with the least power consumption. Also, the fluid transmitted by the pump must be in harmony with the technical characteristics of the pump in terms of viscosity and temperature. Overall, this step ensures that the organic Rankin cycle continues continuously and without interruption. Careful selection of the pump type and careful control of its operation are factors that directly affect the stability and overall efficiency of the system.
Clean energy company arrowj, specializing in the provision of the ERC intelligent system
In a world where moving towards sustainable energy and reducing waste of resources is no longer a choice but a necessity, clean energy company arvaj, focusing on ERC technology, offers advanced solutions to exploit waste heat. Relying on the technical knowledge of the day and a team of experts, the company has implemented various ERC projects in various industries and has been able to make a big contribution to optimizing energy consumption. The systems designed by arrowj are configured to match the type of heat source, the type of organic fluid, and the capacity of the industry.
If you’re looking for a way to increase energy efficiency, reduce pollution, and save on operating costs, clean energy company is your safe companion. Just contact our experts to get a customized ERC solution that fits your industry needs. Our experience brings your energy to greater productivity. Take an effective step towards a green and sustainable future now.