Waste Heat Power Generation

Next Generation ORC Turbine ITmini ORC System

The ITmini series is the next generation ORC specific designed turbine with magnetic coupling generator.  Designed around the Infinity Turbine Modular Block concept, the all-enclosed turbine generator is the world's smallest commercially available DC ORC turbine generator. Output is 300-900 watts.  Additional output may be achieved with higher heat flow rates. ITmini TG (turbine generator) can be numbered up, and custom expanded with sections for higher power output.

We are now building custom ITmini ORC systems, built to order.  Please specify CE or other certifications at time of order.

The turbine system has one moving part.  Both the turbine and magnetic rotor are attached to the same shaft, which eliminates any external shaft sealing issues.

The DC power output can be routed to a voltage controller, or to a inverter so that AC power can be supplied to a local or utility grid.  A standard solar or wind inverter can be used.

The entire turbine generator is made from 304 Stainless Steel, which is very durable and designed to last years without any maintenance.

The turbine housing is made from 304 Stainless Steel, and uses standard o-rings for seals, and 10-32 inch bolts for both assembly and mounting bores on the bottom and top of the unit. 

The inlet is a 3/8 inch NPT and the exit is one large 3/4 inch NPT.

This all-in-one unit can be used in the standard ORC configuration using refrigerants as working fluid, but also with compressed air and other pressurized flows.

Because this is an expander, it can be used in ORC applications, but also in pressure reducing applications, such as natural gas or chiller reducer valves.

The compact size of the turbine generator allow it to be used in stationary but also mobile (transportation) applications.

The modular block design, allows the unit to be dis-assembled, and re-assembled in about less than an hour.

Applications

This unique system allows you to use your flare gas, waste heat, waste hot water, geothermal, geo-pressurized, hydrothermal, enhanced geothermal, turbine exhaust, or re-injected waste water to power a organic Rankine cycle (ORC) turbine generator.

Geothermal and Waste Heat Organic Rankine Cycle:

The technology developed using a ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) can operate off any heat source, with a minimum of 125 deg F temperature differential between the heat source and sink.  Geothermal energy is only one potential application.  Similar systems are already in operation off heat generated from landfill flares and gas turbine exhaust.  Other applications may include using biomass as a fuel.

Infinity Turbine LLC offers complete ORC systems, as well as our Build-Your-Own-Brand Program.

Build Your Own Brand

If you would like to assemble your own Organic Rankine Cycle Waste Heat to Energy System, Infinity sells the core of the system, the turbine/expander.

You can build or purchase the parts and use our plans with consulting to guide you along the way. Purchase the parts and assemble the system.

This allows you to use locally available components to save on shipping, while giving your the opportunity to build your own brand to sell to your customers.  You may choose to manufacture the necessary components, or purchase them from suppliers.  Of course we can sell you the components, or refer you to suppliers.  We supply the support, from manufacturing, assembly, start-up commissioning to training.

Using our core turbine/expander, you can stay local or global with your ORC system with the security of knowing that the turbine is standardized.  The key component to any ORC system is the turbine/expander.  Most of the cost associated with the development and manufacture of ORC systems is with the turbine/expander. 

Using this strategy, we have taking all the years of research and development out of the equation, which allows you to rapidly assemble and deploy your ORC machines to your customers.  Infinity is constantly making its turbine more efficient as well as the design of the ancillary components which make the ORC system work.  Some of our technology which leads other ORC manufactures is our implementation of nano-fluid technology which enhances the heat transfer in both the evaporator and condenser. Using a nano-fluid additive makes the system more efficient.

Why Low Temperature Waste Heat ?

Infinity Turbine LLC has studied waste heat availability worldwide and has assessed the market to recover that heat which we believe 95 percent is at or below the 100 C (212 F) range.  Organic Rankine Cycle is more efficient at this range than the Kalina Cycle.  For the small amount of the market which has high heat available (well above 100 C) you can use steam systems.  Organic Rankine Cycle uses refrigerants as the working fluid which boil below 100 C (212 F).  The pressurized vapor can then be expanded through a turbine to spin a generator. 

Why Smaller ORC Systems ?

Of the very small number of ORC manufactures, most focus on above 500 kW/hr output.  The few big players focus on above 1 MW/hr output.  Yet more than 90 percent of the availability of waste heat world wide is available to the less than 500 kW/hr system size.  For this reason, we are focussing on small ORC systems which allow the ORC user to capture and profit from low grade heat.

Why Install a ORC Machine ?

Capturing low grade heat which would otherwise be vented to the atmosphere can be used to generate rotational horsepower.  This can be used to power a electrical generator, or other rotary equipment such as pumps.  In addition, the exiting, heat from the turbine can be used in CHP (Combined Heat and Power) applications to heat water, desalination, or even in adsorption chillers to make chilled water, ice, or air conditioning. 

Publications for ORC Applications

Click here for list of publications available in .pdf format for purchase and download.

Until 2016 Federal Tax Credits (USA Only)

30 percent - solar installations

10 percent - geothermal

(for more information, click here)

American Recovery and Investment Act 30 Percent Tax Credit Or Grant:  Current economic conditions have severely undermined the effectiveness of these tax credits.  As a result, the bill would allow taxpayers to receive a grant from the Treasury Department in lieu of tax credits.  This grant will operate like the current-law investment tax credit.  The Treasury Department will issue a grant in an amount equal to thirty percent (30%) of the cost of the renewable energy facility within sixty days of the facility being placed in service or, if later, within sixty days of receiving an application for such grant.

American Clean Energy and Security Act

This landmark legislation would pay for 50% of the Infinity Turbine ORC equipment based on "... the value of 25 percent of the energy projected to be recovered or generated during the first 5 years of operation of the facility..."

As of 6/26/2009, the House passed this bill, now it goes to the Senate.  Click here for more info.

Oil and Gas

The oil and gas also provides another possible application for the ORC power plant.  Because most oil and gas wells are quite deep, they are warmed by the natural thermal gradient of the earth.  In 2004 the U.S. produced over 2 billion bbl of “waste” water along with the oil and gas production, primarily from the Gulf States with temperatures high enough to produce electricity.  This hot water could be used to generate power directly, without impacting oil and gas production. 

Read a .pdf report here - Energy Under Our Feet

Gas turbines used for compressors and power generation provide huge amounts of waste heat.  This can be converted to additional electrical power.

To see Gas Turbine to waste heat power options, click here.

Organic Rankine Cycle

 

The Global Energy INFINITY TURBINE (turbogenerator) operates using the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is similar to the cycle of a conventional steam turbine, except for the fluid that drives the turbine, which is a environmentally friendly low boiling point organic fluid which allow the system to run efficiently on low temperature heat sources to produce electricity in a wide range of power outputs.

The Cycle

The environmentally friendly organic working fluid is turned into vapor by application of a heat source in the evaporator. The organic fluid vapor expands in the turbine and is then condensed using a flow of water in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger (alternatively, ambient air can be used for cooling). The condensate is pumped back to the evaporator thus closing the thermodynamic cycle. Heating and cooling sources are not directly in contact with the working fluid nor with the turbine. The condenser can use ground source geothermal and air cooled for added efficiency.

For high temperature applications such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) biomass-powered boilers, high temperature thermal oil is used as a heat carrier and a regenerator is added, to further improve the cycle performance.

Advantages

a. High system efficiency

b. High turbine efficiency (up to 85 percent)

c. Low mechanical stress of the turbine, due to the low peripheral speed

d. Low turbine speed allowing the direct drive of the electric generator without reduction gear

e. No erosion of blades, due to the absence of moisture in the vapor nozzles

f. Long life

g. No operator required

h. Can be service by standard refrigerant technician

The system also has practical advantages, such as simple start-stop procedures, low noise operation, minimum maintenance requirements, and good part load performance.

Applications

a. Low enthalpy geothermal plants, number up small system modules - unlimited plant size

b. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems - use condenser cycle to produce hot water for heating, domestic, ice melting, or even through a secondary chiller for cooling

c. Heat recovery applications, such as foundry, process or waste water in oil re-injection wells

d. Solar applications

Modularity

The ORC Infinity Turbine Generator consists of a single assembly, or a full ORC system containing all the equipment required for the power skid to be operated (i.e. heat exchangers, piping, working fluid feed pump, turbine, electric generator, control and switch-gear). Larger units are composed of multiple modules, pre-assembled at the factory in optional shipping containers. Because of that, units are easy to transport and to install, and they are easy to interface with the hot and cold sources on site.  Since they are container mounted, you can stack and tie together horizontally, or vertically.  You can even use them on ships.  Perfect for remote operations, like islands.

Infinity Turbine LLC

Infinity Turbine provides Organic Rankine Cycle project development services as well as turnkey products and services in the areas of renewable energy technologies and in developing clean power/energy projects that will generate renewable energy credits, like the carbon dioxide credits and emission reduction credits.

Organic Rankine Cycle Equipment Provided by:

INFINITY TURBINE LLC