The FlexGeo project has achieved a significant milestone with the publication of its first preprint detailing the experimental characterisation of a novel reversible high-temperature heat pump (HTHP) and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) test rig. This marks the first set of experimental data for this cutting-edge technology, a crucial step in advancing its industrial application potential.
After three years of meticulous design, planning, construction, and commissioning, the test rig has demonstrated performance at industry-level efficiencies in both operational modes. Key findings include:
- Heat Pump Mode: Thermal duties up to 110 kW with heat sink temperatures up to 120°C. Coefficient of Performance (COP) ranged from 3.0 to 6.4 for temperature lifts of 25 K to 57 K
- ORC Mode: Heat source conditions between 110°C and 130°C yielded consistent net-electric thermal efficiencies of 5%-6%
- Oil Management: Effective oil handling for the reversible twin-screw compressor was identified as a critical factor for optimising system efficiency
The full preprint is available on the Elsevier SSRN server, providing a detailed look at the data and results. You can access it here:
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5013851
This milestone represents an essential step in the FlexGeo project’s ongoing efforts to refine performance and develop pilot applications. Stay tuned for further updates as the test rig continues to drive innovation in reversible HTHP/ORC systems.
