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Thermodynamic and Exergetic Analyses of Power and Cooling Systems
Research Guide
What is Thermodynamic and Exergetic Analyses of Power and Cooling Systems?
Thermodynamic and exergetic analyses of power and cooling systems is the application of first and second law analyses to evaluate energy efficiency, irreversibilities, and performance of systems such as Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC), Supercritical CO2 cycles, cogeneration, and waste heat recovery for power generation and cooling.
This field encompasses 35,977 papers focused on waste heat recovery, cogeneration, and low-grade heat utilization through Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and Supercritical CO2 Cycle. Key areas include thermodynamic analysis, exergy analysis, working fluids selection, and energy storage for sustainable development. Analyses target power and cooling systems to minimize entropy generation and optimize finite-time processes.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Organic Rankine Cycle Thermodynamic Analysis
This sub-topic covers cycle modeling, efficiency optimization, and performance evaluation of ORC systems for low-grade heat recovery. Researchers investigate regenerative configurations and multi-stage cycles.
Exergy Analysis of Power Cycles
This sub-topic applies exergy methods to pinpoint irreversibilities in power and cooling systems like Rankine and Brayton cycles. Researchers develop exergoeconomic models integrating cost and efficiency.
Working Fluids Selection for ORC
This sub-topic evaluates thermodynamic properties, environmental impact, and flammability of fluids like R245fa and hydrocarbons for ORC applications. Researchers use screening tools and molecular modeling.
Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles
This sub-topic explores recompression and partial cooling sCO2 cycles for high-efficiency power generation from waste heat. Researchers model turbomachinery and heat exchanger integration.
Thermal Energy Storage Systems
This sub-topic studies sensible, latent, and thermochemical storage for power and cooling integration. Researchers analyze charging-discharging cycles and material innovations.
Why It Matters
These analyses enable optimization of real-world power and cooling systems by quantifying exergy destruction and improving efficiency in waste heat recovery. Quoilin et al. (2013) in "Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems" surveyed ORC applications, showing payback periods as low as 3-5 years for industrial waste heat recovery plants with capacities up to 1 MW. Chen et al. (2010) in "A review of thermodynamic cycles and working fluids for the conversion of low-grade heat" identified Kalina cycles and ORCs achieving 10-20% efficiency for heat sources below 150°C, applied in geothermal and solar thermal industries. Dinçer and Rosen (2002) in "Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications" detailed storage integration, supporting grid stability with systems storing up to 100 MWh. Bejan (1996) in "Entropy generation minimization: The new thermodynamics of finite-size devices and finite-time processes" provided methods reducing losses by 15-30% in finite-size heat exchangers used in cogeneration plants.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"The Exergy Method of Thermal Plant Analysis" (1985) provides the foundational framework for applying exergy to power systems, making it the ideal starting point for understanding irreversibility quantification before advancing to cycle-specific studies.
Key Papers Explained
Dinçer and Rosen (2007) in "Exergy: Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" builds on the exergy fundamentals from "The Exergy Method of Thermal Plant Analysis" (1985) by extending applications to sustainable power systems. Bejan (1996) in "Entropy generation minimization: The new thermodynamics of finite-size devices and finite-time processes" complements this by introducing optimization methods for finite-time cycles. Quoilin et al. (2013) in "Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems" and Chen et al. (2010) in "A review of thermodynamic cycles and working fluids for the conversion of low-grade heat" apply these principles to ORC, while Bao and Zhao (2013) in "A review of working fluid and expander selections for organic Rankine cycle" refines fluid and expander choices. Dinçer and Rosen (2002) in "Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications" integrates storage for complete system analysis.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Recent emphasis remains on ORC optimization for industrial waste heat, as no new preprints or news are available. Frontiers involve hybrid cycles combining supercritical CO2 with ORC, guided by reviews like Quoilin et al. (2013) and Bao and Zhao (2013).
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Exergy Method of Thermal Plant Analysis | 1985 | Elsevier eBooks | 2.9K | ✕ |
| 2 | Exergy: Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development | 2007 | — | 2.3K | ✕ |
| 3 | The theory of homogeneous turbulence | 1953 | Journal of the Frankli... | 1.9K | ✕ |
| 4 | Entropy generation minimization: The new thermodynamics of fin... | 1996 | Journal of Applied Phy... | 1.9K | ✓ |
| 5 | Biomass resource facilities and biomass conversion processing ... | 2001 | Energy Conversion and ... | 1.8K | ✕ |
| 6 | Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications | 2002 | — | 1.7K | ✕ |
| 7 | Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems | 2013 | Renewable and Sustaina... | 1.4K | ✓ |
| 8 | A review of thermodynamic cycles and working fluids for the co... | 2010 | Renewable and Sustaina... | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 9 | A review of working fluid and expander selections for organic ... | 2013 | Renewable and Sustaina... | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 10 | Pressure swing adsorption | 1995 | Filtration & Separation | 1.2K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is exergy analysis in power and cooling systems?
Exergy analysis applies the second law of thermodynamics to quantify the maximum useful work obtainable from a system relative to its environment. It identifies irreversibilities and efficiency losses beyond first-law energy balances. Dinçer and Rosen (2007) in "Exergy: Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" explain its role in sustainable system design.
How does the Organic Rankine Cycle function for waste heat recovery?
The Organic Rankine Cycle uses organic working fluids with low boiling points to generate power from low-grade heat sources under 150°C. It evaporates the fluid in a heat exchanger, expands it through a turbine, and condenses it for recirculation. Quoilin et al. (2013) in "Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems" report efficiencies of 10-25% depending on heat source temperature.
What factors influence working fluid selection in ORC?
Working fluid selection depends on thermodynamic properties like critical temperature, latent heat, and environmental impact. Fluids must match heat source temperature for optimal evaporation and expansion. Bao and Zhao (2013) in "A review of working fluid and expander selections for organic Rankine cycle" compare R245fa and R134a, noting R245fa yields 5-10% higher efficiency in low-temperature applications.
Why use entropy generation minimization in thermodynamic cycles?
Entropy generation minimization optimizes irreversible devices by balancing heat transfer, fluid flow, and thermodynamics in finite-time models. It reduces total irreversibility for higher second-law efficiency. Bejan (1996) in "Entropy generation minimization: The new thermodynamics of finite-size devices and finite-time processes" demonstrates 20% performance gains in heat engines.
What role does thermal energy storage play in these systems?
Thermal energy storage integrates with power and cooling systems to store low-grade heat for dispatchable generation. It uses sensible, latent, or thermochemical methods for daily or seasonal balancing. Dinçer and Rosen (2002) in "Thermal Energy Storage: Systems and Applications" cover phase change materials achieving 80-90% storage efficiency.
What are key applications of supercritical CO2 cycles?
Supercritical CO2 cycles convert waste heat to power with compact turbomachinery and high efficiency above 40% at 500-700°C. They suit concentrated solar power and nuclear plants. The field description highlights their use alongside ORC for broader temperature ranges in cogeneration.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can exergy destruction in ORC expanders be minimized for temperatures below 100°C?
- ? What working fluid mixtures optimize supercritical CO2-ORC hybrids for variable waste heat loads?
- ? Which exergetic efficiency metrics best predict long-term performance in cogeneration with energy storage?
- ? How do real fluid properties affect entropy generation in low-grade heat recovery cycles?
- ? What integration strategies maximize second-law efficiency in combined power-cooling systems?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 35,977 papers with sustained focus on ORC and exergy analysis for waste heat recovery, as growth data over 5 years is unavailable.
Quoilin et al. techno-economic survey underscores ongoing ORC adoption, while no recent preprints or news indicate steady rather than accelerating progress.
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