Optimization of waste heat recovery system for mobile compressor unit for compressing natural gas

Abstract

This paper presents the methodology and results of optimization of the waste heat recovery system (WHRS) of a mobile compressor unit (MCU) designed to compress natural gas using a computer model in the MatLab with the CoolProp thermodynamic package. In the course of the study, a computer model of the WHRS is built, a criterion for the efficiency of recuperation is determined, an optimization problem is formulated and its solution is carried out. The boiling pressure and mass flow rate of the working fluid in the Rankine cycle are taken as the optimization parameters. With the optimal values of these parameters, the smallest value of the relative mass fuel consumption of the MCU is achieved, that is, the maximum recuperation efficiency is achieved.