Organic Rankine Cycle System Review: Thermodynamic Configurations, Working Fluids, and Future Challenges in Low-Temperature Power Generation.
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| Title: | Organic Rankine Cycle System Review: Thermodynamic Configurations, Working Fluids, and Future Challenges in Low-Temperature Power Generation. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Sanchez, Felix Donate1 (AUTHOR), Barba Salvador, Javier1 (AUTHOR) javier.barba@uclm.es, Mata Montes, Carmen1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Energies (19961073). Dec2025, Vol. 18 Issue 24, p6561. 35p. |
| Subjects: | Rankine cycle, Working fluids, Renewable energy transition (Government policy), Heat recovery, Renewable energy sources, Heat engines, Energy conversion, System integration |
| Abstract: | In the context of the zero-carbon transition, this article provides a comprehensive review of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technologies for low-grade heat recovery and conversion to power. It surveys a wide range of renewable and waste heat sources—including geothermal, solar thermal, biomass, internal combustion engine exhaust, and industrial process heat—and discusses the integration of ORC systems to enhance energy recovery and thermal efficiency. The analysis examines various configurations, from basic and regenerative cycles to advanced transcritical and supercritical designs, cascaded systems, and multi-source integration, evaluating their thermodynamic performance for different heat source profiles. A critical focus is placed on working fluid selection, where the landscape is being reshaped by stringent regulatory frameworks such as the EU F-Gas regulation, driving a shift towards low-GWP hydrofluoroolefins, natural refrigerants, and tailored zeotropic mixtures. The review benchmarks ORC against competing technologies such as the Kalina cycle, Stirling engines, and thermoelectric generators, highlighting relative performance characteristics. Furthermore, it identifies key trends, including the move beyond single-source applications toward integrated hybrid systems and the use of multi-objective optimization to balance thermodynamic, economic, and environmental criteria, despite persistent challenges related to computational cost and real-time control. Key findings confirm that ORC systems significantly improve low-grade heat utilization and overall thermal efficiency, positioning them as vital components for integrated zero-carbon power plants. The study concludes that synergistically optimizing ORC design, refrigerant choice in line with regulations, and system integration strategies is crucial for maximizing energy recovery and supporting the broader zero-carbon energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 190470676 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Organic Rankine Cycle System Review: Thermodynamic Configurations, Working Fluids, and Future Challenges in Low-Temperature Power Generation. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sanchez%2C+Felix+Donate%22">Sanchez, Felix Donate</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Barba+Salvador%2C+Javier%22">Barba Salvador, Javier</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> javier.barba@uclm.es</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mata+Montes%2C+Carmen%22">Mata Montes, Carmen</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Energies+%2819961073%29%22">Energies (19961073)</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 18 Issue 24, p6561. 35p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rankine+cycle%22">Rankine cycle</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Working+fluids%22">Working fluids</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Renewable+energy+transition+%28Government+policy%29%22">Renewable energy transition (Government policy)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Heat+recovery%22">Heat recovery</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Renewable+energy+sources%22">Renewable energy sources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Heat+engines%22">Heat engines</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Energy+conversion%22">Energy conversion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22System+integration%22">System integration</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: In the context of the zero-carbon transition, this article provides a comprehensive review of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technologies for low-grade heat recovery and conversion to power. It surveys a wide range of renewable and waste heat sources—including geothermal, solar thermal, biomass, internal combustion engine exhaust, and industrial process heat—and discusses the integration of ORC systems to enhance energy recovery and thermal efficiency. The analysis examines various configurations, from basic and regenerative cycles to advanced transcritical and supercritical designs, cascaded systems, and multi-source integration, evaluating their thermodynamic performance for different heat source profiles. A critical focus is placed on working fluid selection, where the landscape is being reshaped by stringent regulatory frameworks such as the EU F-Gas regulation, driving a shift towards low-GWP hydrofluoroolefins, natural refrigerants, and tailored zeotropic mixtures. The review benchmarks ORC against competing technologies such as the Kalina cycle, Stirling engines, and thermoelectric generators, highlighting relative performance characteristics. Furthermore, it identifies key trends, including the move beyond single-source applications toward integrated hybrid systems and the use of multi-objective optimization to balance thermodynamic, economic, and environmental criteria, despite persistent challenges related to computational cost and real-time control. Key findings confirm that ORC systems significantly improve low-grade heat utilization and overall thermal efficiency, positioning them as vital components for integrated zero-carbon power plants. The study concludes that synergistically optimizing ORC design, refrigerant choice in line with regulations, and system integration strategies is crucial for maximizing energy recovery and supporting the broader zero-carbon energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=190470676 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.3390/en18246561 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 35 StartPage: 6561 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Rankine cycle Type: general – SubjectFull: Working fluids Type: general – SubjectFull: Renewable energy transition (Government policy) Type: general – SubjectFull: Heat recovery Type: general – SubjectFull: Renewable energy sources Type: general – SubjectFull: Heat engines Type: general – SubjectFull: Energy conversion Type: general – SubjectFull: System integration Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Organic Rankine Cycle System Review: Thermodynamic Configurations, Working Fluids, and Future Challenges in Low-Temperature Power Generation. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Sanchez, Felix Donate – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Barba Salvador, Javier – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Mata Montes, Carmen IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 15 M: 12 Text: Dec2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 19961073 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 18 – Type: issue Value: 24 Titles: – TitleFull: Energies (19961073) Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
