4. Conclusion

Organic Rankine cycles are variants of steam-water cycles, used when the hot source from which mechanical power is to be generated is at low or medium temperature.

Under such conditions, the performance of steam cycles deteriorates, and it becomes preferable to use other thermodynamic fluids.

The advantages of Rankine cycles are above all technological and economic. Their widespread use is the result of a growing concern to reduce energy waste and combat climate change. As Rankine cycles are still in their infancy, a fairly long learning curve is to be expected.

For small units, we benefit from the knowledge acquired in the field of refrigeration, except for expansion machines, for which developments are being actively pursued.

For fluids, many options are possible, and there's certainly...