Mitsubishi develops binary power generation system

At left: Model MWT-ZD600M Waste Heat Recovery – Organic Rankine Cycle system. At right: Waste Heat Recovery – Hot Water Economizer (WHR-HWE). (Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co. Ltd. (MHI-MME) announced development of a binary power generation system based on Organic Rankine Cycle technology (Waste Heat Recovery – Organic Rankine Cycle or WHR-ORC system), which is primarily designed to recover waste heat from sulfur-free fuel-burning engines and convert it into usable power. The lineup includes three models with rated outputs of between 200 kW and 700 KW, suited for powering a range of vessel types.

The WHR-ORC system was developed by combining MHI-MME’s marine waste heat recovery system – which includes a waste gas economizer, steam turbine and gas power turbine – with centrifugal chilling technology from MHI Group company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems Ltd. The result is an advanced waste heat recovery system with high thermal efficiency that is oil-free, fully sealed and maintenance-free, said MHI-MME.

The company anticipates the WHR-ORC system to achieve high efficiency and energy savings in engines powered by carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, as well as by carbon-neutral fuels including biomethane and bio-methanol.