In what ORC applications are dry coolers commonly used?

Dry coolers are commonly used in ORC applications where the plant needs air-cooled heat rejection instead of a water-intensive cooling tower. The most common uses are:

1. Geothermal ORC plants
Dry cooling is especially common in geothermal ORC projects, particularly in dry regions where water availability is limited. Industry reviews note that most geothermal ORC plants adopt dry air-cooled condensers for this reason.

2. Industrial waste heat recovery ORC systems
ORC is widely applied to recover low- and medium-temperature waste heat from industrial processes, and dry coolers are often used as the outdoor heat rejection solution in these installations. Examples include industrial waste heat from furnaces, kilns, and process plants.

3. Biomass-fired ORC power plants
Biomass is a common ORC heat source, especially for distributed power generation, and air-cooled heat rejection is attractive where operators want simpler utility infrastructure and lower water use. Biomass is consistently listed among major ORC application areas.

4. Engine and gas-turbine waste heat ORC projects
ORC is also used for recovered heat from engines, gas turbines, and compressor-station exhaust streams. In these projects, dry coolers are commonly selected when the installation is remote or when a water-based cooling system is less practical.

5. Remote or water-scarce ORC installations
Even across different heat sources, dry coolers are especially favored where the site has limited water supply, where simpler maintenance is important, or where the operator wants to avoid cooling tower water treatment. The ORC market literature specifically highlights water scarcity as a major reason for dry cooling adoption.