Energy and exergy analysis of an organic Rankine for power generation from waste heat recovery in steel industry

Energy, in conjunction with exergy, analysis of a waste heat driven Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is performed. Using actual plant data, performance of the cycle and pinpoint sites of primary exergy destruction are assessed. Furthermore, variations of energy and exergy efficiencies of the system with evaporator/condenser pressures, superheating and subcooling are illustrated. It is observed from the analysis that, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the system are 10.2%; 48.5% and 8.8%; 42.2%, respectively, for two different actual cases. Exergy destruction of subcomponents is also quantified. The components with greater exergy destructions to lower one can be listed as evaporator, turbine, condenser and pump. Evaporation pressure has significant effect on both energy and exergy efficiencies. Pinch-point analysis is, also performed to determine effects of heat exchange process, in the evaporator, on the net power production. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.