Application and Operation of a 2-MW Organic Rankine Cycle System on a Refinery FCC Unit

The nation's largest organic Rankine cycle (ORC) waste heat recovery system was started up in July 1984 at a West Coast oil refinery. The system includes two hermetically sealed turbine-generator units, each rated at 1070 kW. Each turbine-generator unit contains a turbine, generator, and feedpump on a common shaft, and represents a significant advancement for ORC systems. This equipment is described in this paper, with emphasis on the unique aspects of the system. Application parameters and system sizing with regard to economic optimization as well as installation, start-up, and initial operating experience are discussed