Experimental Research and Feasibility Analysis of Low-Temperature Power Generation Systems Used in Petrochemical Industry

摘要

Large amounts of low-temperature and medium-temperature waste heat are produced and often go unused in the petrochemical industry. Low-temperature power generation technology is considered an important solution for waste heat recovery. This paper presents a feasibility analysis for a low-temperature power generation system (LTPGS) based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The paper begins with an introduction to the ORC and makes contrastive analyses of six candidate working fluids, leading to the selection of TY-1 as the best fluid. Secondly, experimental research was used to obtain the relationships between the system parameters. Thirdly, based on long-term experimental data and experiences in engineering applications, the LTPGS was designed taking into account the chemical process. The process of purified wastewater has been taken as a case to subject to feasibility analysis about economic and environmental benefits. The results show that the LTPGS power-generating efficiency is 8.4% in winter and 6.5% in summer, and that the dynamic payback period of the system is 3.8 years. The environment loads of the system decrease significantly compared with traditional thermal power generation. The efficiency of the overall utilization of energy can be improved considerably and the methods of analysis and optimization presented can be widely applied in similar waste heat recovery situations in the petrochemical industry. (C) 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.