The ORC turbogenerator uses medium-to-high-temperature thermal oil to preheat and vaporize a suitable organic working fluid in the evaporator (4>5). The organic fluid vapor rotates the turbine (5>6), which is directly coupled to the electric generator, resulting in clean, reliable electric power.

An organic Rankine⁵ cycle turbine is a small turbine that is identical in design to a steam turbine but which uses a low boiling point organic fluid as its working fluid instead of water and steam. The turbine is packaged into a closed cycle system with a condenser and heat exchanger.

The main applications for Organic Rankine Cycle include: electricity generation from geothermal reservoirs. cogeneration from biomass. concentrating solar power installations.

A Rankine cycle is a closed-cycle system where a working fluid circulates through a minimum of an evaporator, turbine, condenser and a pump to convert heat into work, Figure 1. The evaporator can incorporate or be followed by a superheater if the working fluid/heat source temperature allow it.