Futuristic cityscape powered by waste heat recovery technology.

Waste Heat Recovery: Can New Tech Save Energy and the Planet?

Avery Sinclair in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how R1234yf/R32 mixtures in transcritical organic Rankine cycles are boosting efficiency and cutting costs in waste heat recovery."

In a world grappling with climate change and soaring energy costs, the quest for sustainable energy solutions has never been more critical. One promising avenue is waste heat recovery (WHR), a process that captures and reuses heat that would otherwise be released into the environment. Industries such as manufacturing, power generation, and transportation produce vast amounts of waste heat, representing a significant untapped energy resource.

Traditional methods of WHR often face limitations in efficiency and economic viability, particularly when dealing with lower-grade heat sources. However, recent advancements in thermodynamic cycles and working fluids are opening new doors for effective WHR technologies. Among these innovations, the use of R1234yf/R32 mixtures in transcritical organic Rankine cycles (TORC) is emerging as a game-changer, offering enhanced performance and cost-effectiveness.

This article delves into the groundbreaking research exploring the potential of R1234yf/R32 mixtures in TORC systems for lower-grade WHR. We'll uncover the science behind this technology, its benefits, and how it could revolutionize energy use across various industries. By understanding these advancements, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

R1234yf/R32 Mixtures: How Do They Boost Waste Heat Recovery?

Futuristic cityscape powered by waste heat recovery technology.

At the heart of this innovation lies the transcritical organic Rankine cycle (TORC), a thermodynamic cycle that efficiently converts heat into electricity. In a TORC system, a working fluid is heated, vaporized, and then expanded through a turbine to generate power. The choice of working fluid is crucial, as it directly impacts the cycle's efficiency and performance.

R1234yf and R32 are organic compounds that, when combined, create a working fluid with ideal properties for TORC systems. These properties lead to significant advantages:

Environmental Friendliness: Both R1234yf and R32 have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional refrigerants.
Complementary Thermodynamics: R1234yf is a “dry” fluid, while R32 is a “wet” fluid. Combining them allows for a tailored temperature-entropy diagram, optimizing heat transfer and energy conversion within the TORC system.
Improved Efficiency: The mixture's unique properties enable the TORC system to operate at higher pressures and temperatures, leading to increased thermal efficiency.
Cost-Effectiveness: By maximizing energy recovery and reducing waste, R1234yf/R32 mixtures can significantly lower operational costs for WHR systems.

Extensive research has focused on optimizing the performance of R1234yf/R32 mixtures in TORC systems. Studies have explored various factors, including mass fractions, condensation temperatures, and expander efficiencies, to identify the ideal operating conditions for maximizing energy recovery and minimizing costs. The results consistently demonstrate the superior performance of these mixtures compared to single-component working fluids.

A Sustainable Future Powered by Waste Heat?

The innovative use of R1234yf/R32 mixtures in transcritical organic Rankine cycles holds immense promise for revolutionizing waste heat recovery. By improving efficiency and reducing costs, this technology can unlock a vast untapped energy resource, paving the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. As industries increasingly adopt these advanced WHR systems, we can expect to see a significant reduction in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and reliance on fossil fuels. The potential for a cleaner, more sustainable world is within our reach, powered by the energy we once left behind.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.08.059, Alternate LINK

Title: Thermo-Economic Analysis Of The Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycle Using R1234Yf/R32 Mixtures As The Working Fluids For Lower-Grade Waste Heat Recovery

Subject: General Energy

Journal: Energy

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Min-Hsiung Yang, Rong-Hua Yeh, Tzu-Chen Hung

Published: 2017-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Waste Heat Recovery, and why is it important?

Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) is the process of capturing and reusing heat that would normally be released into the environment by industries such as manufacturing, power generation, and transportation. It is significant because these industries produce vast amounts of waste heat, representing a significant untapped energy resource. By implementing WHR systems, industries can reduce their energy consumption, lower operational costs, and decrease their environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is a Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycle (TORC), and why is it used in the context of waste heat recovery?

A Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycle (TORC) is a thermodynamic cycle that converts heat into electricity. In a TORC system, a working fluid is heated, vaporized, and then expanded through a turbine to generate power. TORC systems are critical in waste heat recovery because they efficiently convert lower-grade heat sources into usable energy, enhancing the overall efficiency and economic viability of WHR processes.

What are R1234yf and R32, and why are they important in waste heat recovery systems?

R1234yf and R32 are organic compounds used as working fluids in Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycle (TORC) systems. They are important because, when combined, they create a mixture with ideal properties for heat transfer and energy conversion. R1234yf is a 'dry' fluid, while R32 is a 'wet' fluid; this combination optimizes the temperature-entropy diagram, leading to improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in waste heat recovery. They also have zero ozone depletion potential and lower global warming potential compared to traditional refrigerants, enhancing the sustainability of energy systems.

How does using R1234yf/R32 mixtures in Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycles improve waste heat recovery?

The use of R1234yf/R32 mixtures in Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycles improves waste heat recovery (WHR) in several key ways. The environmental friendliness of these fluids reduces negative impacts. Their complementary thermodynamics optimize heat transfer. The improved efficiency allows the system to operate at higher pressures and temperatures. The cost-effectiveness maximizes energy recovery and reduces operational costs. All of these combined enable enhanced performance, lower costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.

What is the impact of using R1234yf/R32 mixtures in Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycles on sustainability?

The utilization of R1234yf/R32 mixtures in Transcritical Organic Rankine Cycles (TORC) has a significant impact on sustainability by improving waste heat recovery efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The lower global warming potential of these mixtures contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting these advanced WHR systems, industries can substantially decrease their energy consumption, move towards a cleaner energy future, and minimize their environmental footprint.