ORC

ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle)

ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) technology is a device that generates electricity from unusable (waste) heat in the form of hot water, steam, thermal oil or flue gas. It works on the same principle as steam turbines, as they have a similar thermal cycle. However, it differs in the use of a heat transfer medium, in this case it is a coolant that evaporates even at lower temperatures than the boiling point of water. ORC units process heat with low to medium heat potential, in the temperature range from 80 °C to 150 °C. An additional heat exchanger is installed if the heat from flue gas is used.

The ORC operating medium is first heated by plate heat exchangers and converted into high-pressure steam. It then enters the expander under pressure to rotate it and this expander subsequently rotates the electricity generator. Then the steam is cooled in a condenser (again, plate heat exchangers); it is liquefied and the entire cycle is repeated.

The ORC technology is installed by connecting the unit to a waste heat source (e.g. CGU cooling circuit). The ORC unit uses the waste heat to produce electricity, while allowing the power to be reduced / the emergency cooling units to shut down (these remain connected into the system only for the ORC emergency shutdown mode). The ORC unit thus reduces costs in two ways – it produces electricity and saves electricity consumed by coolers and pumps of the cooling circuit. The overall process of cogeneration of electricity and heat thus becomes more efficient.

Advantages of ORC

ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) technology is a device that generates electricity from unusable (waste) heat in the form of hot water, steam, thermal oil or flue gas.

  • Zero fuel consumption
    • Only waste heat is used
  • Zero emissions
    • Saves the environment and reduces CO2 production
  • Wide range of units
    • 30–800 kWe of power
  • Increased efficiency
    • Higher efficiency of the primary source
  • Energy self-sufficiency
    • Self-consumption coverage
  • Cost effective
    • in terms of operation and maintenance

Performance of the installed units depends on the parameters of the heat used. We can prepare preliminary estimates for you based on the data on temperature and amount of available heat.