Leveraging ORC technology to enhance renewable hydrogen production efficiency and industrial decarbonization

This study investigates the integration of waste heat recovery through Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology in an industrial alkaline electrolysis (AEL) system within a refinery environment. The work is conducted under the EU-funded EPHYRA project, which aims to demonstrate large-scale renewable hydrogen production and industrial symbiosis. Two configurations are evaluated: (i) direct coupling of the ORC with the electrolyser to recover heat from the electrolyte loop and (ii) indirect coupling, where the ORC exploits medium-temperature waste heat from refinery processes, such as Ηydrodesulfurisation (HDS) unit rundown streams, to generate zero carbon electricity that can be supplied virtually to the electrolyser. 

The project is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members under the GA 101112220. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.