Feasibility Study of Micro Kalina Cycle for Hot Spring Power Generation

Abstract

A model-based approach was employed to examine the applicability of a micro-Kalina cycle of up to 20 kW (about 373 K) with a working fluid of ammonia/water for low-grade geothermal heat energy. It was found possible to generate 15–24 kW using hot springs (353–393 K, 10,000 kg/h). It was also found that the micro-Kalina cycle shows a temperature glide like a Lorenz cycle under the simulation conditions, and that it had higher power generation performance than the organic Rankin cycle.