Experimental study and performance analysis of a hydraulic diaphragm metering pump used in organic Rankine cycle system

Abstract In this paper, a performance test of a hydraulic diaphragm metering pump using R123 is conducted. The interaction relationships of key parameters of the pump and its influence on the performance of the ORC system are analyzed. The application feasibility of the pump has been proved by comparison to previous studies. The results indicate that the mass flow rate of the pump varies from 0.23 t/h to 2.06 t/h and is mostly independent of outlet pressure. Both power input and actual efficiency of the pump increase with stroke; the actual efficiency reaches up to a maximum of 88.27%. The specific speed decreases with the increase of outlet pressure. Moreover, the actual net power output and thermal efficiency of the ORC system increase with evaporating temperature. Actual net power output is more sensitive than thermal efficiency to stroke. The thermal efficiency presents a nonlinearly rapid decline trend with the increase of specific speed. Back work ratio (BWR) can reach up to a maximum of 0.93. Thus, the power input of working fluid pump is not negligible in the ORC system and the assumptions of actual efficiency of pump should be dependent on experimental results according to various operating conditions.