Study of Solar Organic Rankine Cycle System Using Scroll Expander

A unique solar thermal electric system was proposed and tested in the present study. In this system, an organic working fluid, which is suitable for a temperature range fitted for solar energy, is adopted. We call this system “Solar Organic Rankine Cycle System (SORCS)”. To improve the thermal efficiency by using solar energy, the displacement type scroll expander and CPC (Compound Parabolic Concentrator) solar collector are used. This system consists of very simple components similar to the air conditioner and is very cost effective. The present paper reports experimental results of the scroll expander test and the practical operation of the proposed SORCS under the actual solar radiation input. Total thermal efficiency of the present SORCS reached to 7% (42% when cooling water is used for the cogeneration system).