Improving the energy efficiency of a internal combustion engine cogeneration system using ORC as bottoming cycle

CHP plants have high efficiency and low cost of electricity and heat. When number of heat consumers decreases the efficiency of CHP plants is significantly reduced, leading to price increases for electricity production. A solution for increasing economic efficiency of a CHP plant with internal combustion engines, without heat consumers, is using of thermal energy produced in the form of hot water to generate electricity in a bottoming Organic Rankine Cycle. This paper analyzes the specific case of using ORC for electricity production for an existing CHP, remained without heat consumers. Parameters of working agent in the main points of thermodynamic cycle are determined. Electrical power and increase of overall efficiency are calculated.