Power generation with a centrifugal compressor operating in reverse as a turbine with inlet vapour at 130 to 330 psia

摘要

A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere. By selection of particular ratio of nozzle boundary outlet to inlet radii and selection of a particular refrigerant with particular vapour introduction pressure to the impeller of the compressor improved cycle performance is stated to be attained.