Toluene as a working fluid in solar steam-turbine plants

The thermodynamic properties of toluene as an organic working fluid (OWF) in high temperature solar powered steam turbines are studied. The density of superheated toluene vapor is compared with known characteristics of benzene, figures which prove to be in error 0.13 to 0.05% in the 380 to 570 K range. The entire range of thermophysical properties are calculated and listed. It is noted that the use of organic working fluids such as toluene, which demonstrate high saturation temperatures with low saturated vapor pressures, decreases the total amount of materials necessary for power plants, particularly metals, when compared with water. Toluene does not form condensate on turbine blades, thus enhancing efficiency, and corrosion is absent when water or oxygen impurities are also absent.