[Gasification] Solar ORC's -- The scroll compressor as prime mover ORC

[Peter Singfield]

Read all about it (in greatest detail) at:

http://www.freepower.co.uk/site-4.htm

Abstract – The commercial feasibility of small scale solar ORC for
distributed generation and CHP is demonstrated. This has been achieved with
an energy analysis of over 150 commercially available solar hot water
collectors, a survey of candidate working fluids and by adapting rotary
refrigeration compressors to run in reverse direction as
expanders/asynchronous generators. A computer code combining the results of
these sub-studies has demonstrated that self-stabilization close to optimum
conditions for given irradiance may be possible without electronic feedback
control.

The principle obstacles encountered included oil migration, face and tip
sealing problems and low expansion ratios.

Electrical Capacity Costs of capacity - at G=1000W/m 2 were estimated. A
significant improvement on these figures is possible if a large cooling
reservoir is available.

Construction of a field prototype will involve developing a high volumetric
ratio, purpose built expander in collaboration with a compressor
manufacturer and optimising a liquid piston pump which is being developed
specifically for ORC feed-pumping.

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Please take note in regards to that last part -- specifically:

"involve developing a high volumetric ratio, purpose built expander"

As recently mentioned -- the scroll compressor design does not allow for a
high enough expansion ratio to be used efficiently as an "ORC" prime mover.

Still -- this entire paper is involved with making small solar ORC system
-- the kind easy to apply for a single house (Well -- a 3rd world house --
you need a mini nuke power plant for an American style house!!)

Folks -- it is happening -- period.

One day -- if I find time -- I shall pursue further a very simple -- easy
to make -- design I developed years back -- for a low RPM pelton wheel
turbine well adapted specifically for an ORC style prime mover application.

And in the 500 to 1500 watt power range ---

Till then -- have a good one -- eh??

Peter / Belize