ToolFusion
📋 Case Study

Larderello Tuscany ORC Cluster – Italy

Comparative validation of fluid-specific degradation, maintenance intervals, and seasonal efficiency drift; EU F-Gas Regulation compliance tracking

🏗️ Project Overview

Deployment of four 4.5 MW ORC units (R134a, R245fa, isobutane, cyclohexane) on shared 145°C geothermal wells to benchmark fluid performance under identical reservoir conditions

🎯 Challenge

Comparative validation of fluid-specific degradation, maintenance intervals, and seasonal efficiency drift; EU F-Gas Regulation compliance tracking

🔧 Design Approach

Common brine header with individual flow meters and thermal energy meters; centralized SCADA with fluid-specific degradation algorithms (acid number, viscosity drift, moisture content); automated GWP reporting module

📐 Design Diagram

Larderello Tuscany ORC ClusterCommon Brine Header (85°C)ORC-1R134aORC-2isobutaneORC-3R245faCentral SCADA & Fluid-Specific Degradation EngineAcid NumberViscosity DriftMoisture ContentAutomated GWP Reporting Module (EU F-Gas Compliant)F-Gas Score = 0.68 ✓η_drift: R134a = −2.4% ✗η_drift: isobutane = −0.7% ✓

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Seasonal Efficiency Drift

η_drift = (η_summer − η_winter)/η_summer × 100
Result: −2.4% (R134a) vs. −0.7% (isobutane)
Validated hydrocarbon stability advantage in variable ambient conditions

F-Gas Compliance Score

Score = (GWP × kg_fluid × leak_rate) / max_allowed
Result: 0.68
Demonstrated full compliance under EU 517/2014 Annex III