Selecting the best design options for turbo-expanders to be used in Organic Rankine Power Cycle applications is a difficult task, with special reference to the low-temperature applications (T150°C) which are relevant for specific fields in rapid development (geothermal binary plants, solar...

Glass heat pipe solar collectors are becoming very popular for heating/sanitary water production. The use of a double glass system, with vacuum in between (Dewar scheme), allows to minimize heat dispersion to the environment, and to reach potentially temperature levels in competition with much...

The guiding idea behind oxy-fuel combustion power cycles is guaranteeing a high level of performance as can be obtained by today's advanced power plants, together with CO2 separation in conditions ready for transport and final disposal. In order to achieve all these goals, oxy-combustion –...

Micro combined heat and power (CHP) plants operating through an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) using renewable energy are analyzed. The reference system is designed to produce 50kWe. The heat sources of the system are geothermal energy at low temperature (80–100°C) and solar energy. Two...

The thermodynamics of compression and expansion processes in turbomachinery are examined. Rational efficiencies are defined and their relation to isentropic and polytropic efficiencies are discussed. Multistage turbines with extractions are optimized. This approach yields expressions that are...

Coal gasification is seen as an attractive way for hydrogen production. The main advantage of this approach is the low fuel price compared to reforming of natural gas. On the other hand, considering the EU climate policy, the emission of CO2 has to be reduced. The CO2 capture from the raw syngas...

In this paper an exergo-environmental analysis of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) has been performed using real plant operation data. The plant has a nominal capacity of 82,000 m3/day. Different configurations are possible depending on the energy...