LAUSR

Abstract This paper presents an ORC-based micro-CHP system designed for use in residential houses. The ORC system consists of a gas-fired heat source, a working fluid pump, an evaporator, a scroll expander, a condenser, a heat recuperator and a control board. Two working fluids, R1223zd(E) and n-Pentane, are investigated and the performance of the ORC is compared. Experimental results show that the ORC-based micro-CHP system with R1223zd(E) used as the working fluid achieves slightly higher efficiency than with n-Pentane, with the ORC efficiencies being 7.6% and 7.3%. The system produces the electricity outputs of 0.98 kWe and 0.95 kWe at nominal operating conditions when the two fluids are used respectively. A thermodynamic model for the ORC is developed to predict its thermodynamic performance under varying operating conditions and evaluate different working fluids. The results of thermodynamic modelling show that the ORC efficiencies achieved with the two ORC fluids range from 6.6% and 13.6% and from 6.2% to 13.8% depending on operating conditions. The ORC-based micro-CHP system is capable of delivering great performance with respect to overall energy efficiency, low GWP and on-site power and heating security for homes.