Comparative analysis of natural and synthetic refrigerants in application to low temperature Clausius–Rankine cycle

In the paper conducted has been a concise survey of up to date investigations and simulations of the low-temperature Clausius–Rankine (C–R) cycle as well as presented have been authors own results of calculations regarding effectiveness of operation of the power station following such cycle. The power station is supplied with water being a carrier of geothermal or waste heat with temperature 80–115°C. Considered has been a possibility of application of different working fluids, both natural and synthetic as well as mixtures. Presented has been influence of temperature of the upper heat reservoir on the effectiveness and power of the power station. In the concluding remarks there has been enclosed an opinion that the cycle efficiency is not a sufficient criterion in the assessment of the C–R cycle efficiency. Presented also been an indirect relation of the working fluid critical temperature and effectiveness of the cycle realized in the temperature range below 115°C.