Additionally, ORCs eliminate the need for full-time plant operators because they operate at lower pressures and do not need water chemistry maintenance. However, working fluid cost, decomposition, temperature limits are an organic Rankine cycle's primary disadvantages.

Current interest in the Rankine engine stems from its potential to have low emissions and its ability (because it is an external-combustion engine) to use a variety of fuels. The disadvantages of the engine are its complexity and low efficiency.

ORC's can recover heat from waste streams at lower temperatures than is possible with conventional steam Rankine systems, and because ORCs operate at relatively low pressure, they can operate unattended and fully automated in most locations.

The organic Rankine cycle is is similar to the Rankine steam cycle, but uses an organic fluid such as refrigerants and hydrocarbons instead of water as the working fluid. The ordinary Rankine cycle uses thermal power to convert water to steam, which expands through a turbine in order to generate electricity.