Methods for Leakage Monitoring for Safety and Efficiency of ORC System: A Review

Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs) are widely used for recovering low-temperature waste heat, particularly in renewable energy systems like biomass.However, their performance is often reduced by undetected heat and gas leakage.This review aims to identify, classify, and assess current leakage detection methods specifically suited for ORC systems, focusing on their effectiveness under typical operating conditions.The scope encompasses thermal and gas leakage detection techniques, including temperature, pressure, and flow rate monitoring, as well as advanced diagnostic technologies.The main findings indicate that heat loss from components, such as the expander, and undetected vapor leakage can significantly degrade system efficiency and output.Continuous temperature, pressure, and flow rate monitoring are the most effective methods for ensuring safety and optimizing system performance, among the reviewed options.Integrating these techniques with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and machine learning offers promising avenues for real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance.Future research should focus on developing cost-effective, robust sensors suitable for high-temperature and high-humidity environments common in ORCs.This review contributes to the broader discussion on improving ORC monitoring and reliability while proposing practical pathways for technological innovation and sustainable energy conversion.