MODELING A BINARY ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATED WITH SOLAR COLLECTORS: CASE STUDY -ECUADOR

The present study models a Binary Organic Cycle with solar panels, analyzing the system through the Thermal Module (parabolic solar collectors and energy storage tank) and the Organic Rankine Cycle Module (ORC). The first objective was to determine the Equator Region in which the thermal module presents the best efficiency of the solar collectors, then a detailed analysis of the ORC Module is made according to a working fluid, boiling temperature, condensation temperature, pinch point temperature, solar collector area and the ratio of collector area to the volume of the energy storage tank (Ac/V). Finally, an economic analysis is performed based on the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return (IRR) and the payback period for implementing such a system. After performing all the respective analyses in the Thermal Module, it was determined that in the Sierra Region of Ecuador, due to its meteorological conditions (Tamb = 14.7 and Gb=184.5 watt/m2), the efficiency of the collectors is higher; this efficiency is also favored by using Therminol VP-1 as thermal fluid because it has better thermodynamic properties than the other fluids analyzed. Similarly, the ORC Module analysis results determine that Cyclohexane is the ORC working fluid that leads to a higher efficiency of the ORC (25%) and the system in general (20%). Therefore, the optimal operating conditions of the system are: solar collection area of 1600m2, energy storage tank volume of 54 m3, network output (7.42 TJ/year), the total system yields 22 %, with an IRR of 15.65 % and a payback period of 9.81 years.