Package: orcpy
orcpyorcpy: A lightweight Python module that applies thermodynamic principles, analysing a given set of heat source and heat sink data to find the optimum design parameters of an organic Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery projects.Table of contentsDescriptionProblem definitionProblem solutionDependencies and installationExamples and TutorialsAuthors and contributorsLicenseDescriptionorcpyis a Python package which can come to your aid to deal withWaste heat recovery(WHR) projects. This package can give you the optimum pressure level, working fluid and mass flow rate to obtain maximum power generation and heat recovery, considering the constraints of your project such as the minimum allowable temperature of the waste heat stream and condenser.Problem definitionFirst step is formalization of the problem in theorcpyframework. The optimization problem which orcpy is desigend to solve is shown below:Maximizationfwork(pressure level)sub. to:waste heat temperature > Tdewtemperature difference in heat exchangers> $\Delta$Tminevaporator pressure<0.85 Pcriticalcondenser temperature>Tallowablecondenser pressure>1 barProblem solutionAfter defining it, we want of course to solve such a problem. To this aim, the orcpy package uses a golden section search approach to find the optimum pressure level between the upper (0.85 Pcritical) and the lower (Pcondenser) boundaries. The input variables that should be given to the orcpy are as follow:The inlet temperature for the waste stream (ºC)for ORC systems it is usually less than 400The outlet temperature for the waste stream (ºC)for flue gas it is usually more than 70The power of the waste stream (kW)The heat capacity of the waste stream (kJ / kgºC)for water it is 4.186 and for air (flue gas) it is about 1The minimum temperature of the condenser (ºC)for ORC systems it is usually more than 40The minimum temperature difference (ºC)10 is a typical value for this parameterIsentropic efficiencies of turbine and pump (%)knowing these parameter, orcpy will give you optimum design parameters of the ORC system.Dependencies and installationorcpyrequiresnumpy,pandas,CoolProp,pina,plotly. The code is tested for Python 3, while compatibility of Python 2 is not guaranteed anymore. It can be installed usingpipor directly from the source code.Installing via PIPTo install the package just type:>pipinstallorcpyTo uninstall the package:>pipuninstallorcpyExamples and TutorialsTo use orcpy after installation of requierd packages just type:>fromorcpyimportdesign
Results,figure=design.ORC.cycle("all")Next, the orcpy will ask you input variables. instead of"all"you can input a list of working fluids you want to analyze.
You can also use orcpy as a function:>fromorcpyimportdesign
Results,figure=design.ORC.model(400,100,40,4,90,90,10,40,"all")#model (inlet temperature,#minimum allowable temperature,#Power of waste strean,#Heat capacity of waste stream,#turbine efficiency,#pump efficiency,#minimum temperature difference in heat exchangers,#minimum condenser temperature,#list of working fluids)Authors and contributorsorcpyis developed and mantained byMehran Ahmadpourunder the supervision of Prof. Ramin Roshandel and Prof. Mohammad B. ShafiiContact us by email for further information or questions aboutorcpy, or suggest pull requests. Contributions improving either the code or the documentation are welcome!LicenseSee theLICENSEfile for license rights and limitations (MIT).