This process describes the possibility of using waste heat from water vapour condensation to vaporise and superheat organic gases such as propane. This can be used to generate electricity in an Organic Rankine Cycle turbine.
The key to this process lies in the differences between the heat of condensation of water vapour and the enthalpy of vaporisation of an organic gas. Both the reversible processes of vaporisation and condensation and the role of enthalpy in these phase transitions are described.
Experimental proof of the process can be demonstrated using the apparatus described in the video. The transfer capacity of the thermal energy from condensing, saturated water vapour is shown in a comparable way to other energy sources.
The exemplary calculation for propane shows that the organic gas can absorb enough heat energy from the phase change of the water vapour to make its use in an ORC turbine profitable.
Conclusions and applications of this research could lead to significant energy savings and higher efficiency rates in power plants.