A small-scale ORC energy recovery system for vehicular application: Feasibility analysis and preliminary components design

The paper analyses the feasibility of an "on-board" innovative and patented (patent ID RM2011 A 000671) ORC recovery system. The vehicle thermal source can be either a typical diesel engine (1400 cc) or a small gas turbine set (15-30 kW). The sensible heat recovered from the exhaust gases feeds the energy recovery system that can produce sufficient extra power to sustain the conditioning system and other auxiliaries. The concept is suitable for all types of thermally propelled vehicles, but it is studied here for automotive applications. The characteristics of the organic cycle-based recovery system are discussed, and a preliminary design of the main components, such as condenser, evaporator and pre-heater is presented. The main challenge are the imposed size and weight limitations that require a particular design for this compact heat exchangers. A possible system layout is analysed and the requirements for a prototypal application are investigated. At this stage of the project, no components costs evaluation is provided, in part because our scope is to demonstrate feasibility, and secondly most of the components are built in our own shop. Copyright © 2013 by ASME.