Investigation of a Thermal Power Pumping cycle system using alternative working fluids

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the potential working fluids for a promising thermodynamic cycle (Thermal Power Pump cycle) for the utilisation of low-grade heat. The cycle was analyzed along with nucleate boiling correlations and film condensation analysis for variable heat source temperatures (50–150°C) using nine potential working fluids. The working fluids showed varying degrees of cycle performance and system size requirements. Among the working fluids, cyclopentane seems to be an attractive choice of working fluid, due to its superior cycle performance over the wide range of heat source temperatures with moderate system size requirements. For temperatures above 146°C and below 60°C, water and n-pentane are selected, respectively. Working fluids with stronger molecular forces seem to approach the properties of an ideal working fluid for better performance of the system.