Design to Maximize Performance of a Thermoelectric Power Generator With a Dynamic Thermal Power Source

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas T. Crane ◽  
Lon E. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Thermoelectric Power ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Peak Efficiency ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Recovery System ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Power Generation Systems

It is a difficult technical challenge to design thermoelectric power generation systems that work optimally over a broad dynamic range of thermal input power. Conventional systems are designed to work optimally for a nominal operating condition, while maintaining the ability to operate at off nominal and extreme operating conditions without damage to the system. For systems that operate in a narrow range of thermal power conditions, thermoelectric waste heat recovery system design is simplified. However, for applications that do have a wide range of operating conditions, designs typically exhibit overall average efficiencies that are reduced by approximately 20% or more compared with that achievable for the thermoelectric material operating at peak efficiency. Both cars and trucks consume significant fuel at low mass flow rates. Since the ultimate goal of waste heat recovery systems is to minimize fuel consumption, it is critical that the recovery system be designed to operate near peak efficiency over the range of mass flow rates that make a significant contribution to overall power recovery. Such performance capability is especially important in city driving, and in hybrid vehicle applications. This paper describes a design concept that maximizes the performance for thermoelectric power generation systems in which the thermal power to be recovered is from a fluid stream (e.g., exhaust gas) subject to varying temperatures and a broad range of exhaust flow rates. The device is constructed in several parts, with each part optimized for a specific range of operating conditions. The thermoelectric system characteristics, inlet mass flow rates and fluid temperatures, and load and internal electrical resistances are monitored and generator operation is controlled to maximize performance. With this design, the system operates near optimal efficiency for a much wider range of operating conditions. Application of the design concept to an automobile is used to show the benefits to overall system performance.

Design to Maximize Performance of a Thermoelectric Power Generator With a Dynamic Thermal Power Source

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas T. Crane ◽  
Lon E. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Thermoelectric Power ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Peak Efficiency ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Recovery System ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Power Generation Systems

It is a difficult technical challenge to design thermoelectric power generation systems that work optimally over a broad dynamic range of thermal input power. Conventional systems are designed to work optimally for a nominal operating condition, while maintaining the ability to operate at off nominal and extreme operating conditions without damage to the system. For systems that operate in a narrow range of thermal power conditions, thermoelectric waste heat recovery system design is simplified. However, for applications that do have a wide range of operating conditions, designs typically exhibit overall average efficiencies that are reduced by approximately 20% or more compared to that achievable for the thermoelectric material operating at peak efficiency. Both cars and trucks consume significant fuel at low mass flow rates. Since the ultimate goal of waste heat recovery systems is to minimize fuel consumption, it is critical that the recovery system be designed to operate near peak efficiency over the range of mass flow rates that make a significant contribution to overall power recovery. Such performance capability is especially important in city driving, and in hybrid vehicle applications. This paper describes a design concept that maximizes the performance for thermoelectric power generation systems in which the thermal power to be recovered is from a fluid stream (e. g. exhaust gas) subject to varying temperatures and a broad range of fuel flow rates. The device is constructed in several parts, with each part optimized for a specific range of operating conditions. The thermoelectric system characteristics, inlet mass flow rates and fluid temperatures, and load and internal electrical resistances are monitored and generator operation is controlled to maximize performance. With this design, the system operates near optimal efficiency for a much wider range of operating conditions. Application of the design concept to an automobile is used to show the benefits to overall system performance.

Numerical Analysis of the Flow Inside a Centrifugal Compressor’s Vaneless Diffuser and Volute

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooman Rezaei ◽  
Abraham Engeda ◽  
Paul Haley
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Minimum Medium ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract The objective of this work was to perform numerical analysis of the flow inside a modified single stage CVHF 1280 Trane centrifugal compressor’s vaneless diffuser and volute. Gambit was utilized to read the casing geometry and generating the vaneless diffuser. An unstructured mesh was generated for the path from vaneless diffuser inlet to conic diffuser outlet. At the same time a meanline analysis was performed corresponding to speeds and mass flow rates of the experimental data in order to obtain the absolute velocity and flow angle leaving the impeller for those operating conditions. These values and experimental data were used as inlet and outlet boundary conditions for the simulations. Simulations were performed in Fluent 5.0 for three speeds of 2000, 3000 and 3497 RPM and mass flow rates of minimum, medium and maximum. Results are in good agreement with the experimental ones and present the flow structures inside the vaneless diffuser and volute.

Simulations of Waste Heat Recovery System Using R123 and R245fa for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines

2013 ◽  
Vol 805-806 ◽  
pp. 1827-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Shan Wei ◽  
Lei Shi ◽  
Chao Chen Ma ◽  
Danish Syed Noman
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Engine Exhaust ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Working Fluids ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Heavy Duty Diesel

To improve fuel economy, an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system is proposed to recover waste heat from heavy-duty diesel engines. R123 and R245fa were selected as working fluids. Extensive numerical simulations were conducted to find thermal efficiency of the system under different evaporation pressures, mass flow rates of working fluids and temperature of engine exhaust gases. Results show that the system thermal efficiency was increased with the increase in evaporation pressure for both R123 and R245fa. Efficiency of R123 system was found to be greater than that of R245fa system. For Rankine cycle with both R123 and R245fa, mass flow rate range varied with the evaporation pressure. Limited by evaporation rates and thermal decomposition of the working fluid, the range of mass flow rates in R245fa system was narrower than the R123 system. The thermal efficiency with different temperatures of engine exhaust gases was similar under the fixed evaporation pressure.

scholarly journals Verification and Improving the Heat Transfer Model in Radiators in the Wide Change Operating Parameters

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6543
Author(s):  
Mieczysław Dzierzgowski
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Water Mass ◽  
Heat Transfer Model ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

Laboratory measurements and analyses conducted in a wide range of changes of water temperature and mass flow rate for different types of radiators allowed to provides limitations and assessment of the current radiators heat transfer model according to EN 442. The inaccuracy to determinate the radiator heat output according to EN 442, in case of low water mass flow rates may achieve up to 22.3% A revised New Extended Heat Transfer Model in Radiators NEHTMiRmd is general and suitable for different types of radiators both new radiators and radiators existing after a certain period of operation is presented. The NEHTMiRmd with very high accuracy describes the heat transfer processes not only in the nominal conditions—in which the radiators are designed, but what is particularly important also in operating conditions when the radiators water mass flow differ significantly from the nominal value and at the same time the supply temperature changes in the whole range radiators operating during the heating season. In order to prove that the presented new model NEHTMiRmd is general, the article presents numerous calculation examples for various types of radiators currently used. Achieved the high compatibility of the results of the simulation calculations with the measurement results for different types of radiators: iron elements (not ribbed), plate radiators (medium degree ribbed), convectors (high degree ribbed) in a very wide range of changes in the water mass flow rates and the supply temperature indicates that a verified NEHTMiRmd can also be used in designing and simulating calculations of the central heating installations, for the rational conversion of existing installations and district heating systems into low temperature energy efficient systems as well as to directly determine the actual energy efficiency, also to improve the indications of the heat cost allocators. In addition, it may form the basis for the future modification of the European Standards for radiator testing.

Design and analysis of bubble-injected water ramjets with discrete injection configurations by computational fluid dynamics method

2012 ◽  
Vol 227 (9) ◽  
pp. 1945-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Nemati Hayati ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Hashemi ◽  
Mehrzad Shams
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Mixing Chamber ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Dynamics Method ◽  
Water Ramjet

In this study, the performance of a typical bubbly water ramjet was investigated by the application of computational fluid dynamics method at different vessel velocities up to 80 knots for a range of air mass flow rates up to 0.9 kg/s. For this purpose, the validity of presented method was preliminarily examined for a converging–diverging nozzle. Then, a designed ramjet with discrete injection configuration was studied at different operating conditions. It was proved that the injection process significantly increases the amount of generated thrust up to 10 times more than the thrust of a single-phase water ramjet. The results suggest that for optimum operation of the ramjet, specific values should be assigned for both inlet and mixing chamber diameters with respect to outlet diameter. Furthermore, it seems that the modification of mixing chamber profile can effectively improve the performance, as the generated thrust of model with throat-like chamber surpasses that for conventional model up to more than two times. Finally, in order to rectify the contradiction of results obtained in previous literatures on the dependency of thrust on vessel velocity, a meaningful relation was derived between the generated thrust of the ramjet with the advance velocity at different air mass flow rates.

Optimization of an Intermittent Slug Injection System for Sawdust Biomass Pyrolysis

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico M Berruti ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrante ◽  
Franco Berruti ◽  
Cedric Briens
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Feeding Tube ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Injection System ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pinch Valve ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Biomass Materials

Among many other potential applications, intermittent solid slug feeders can be used to effectively inject biomass materials into fluidized bed reactors for pyrolysis. In particular, these feeders can be used to convey biomass materials that are highly cohesive to prevent plugging or undesirable reaction in the feeding tube. Although feeders of this design have been shown to work very effectively, they have not been studied in detail or optimized for the pyrolysis process. In addition, the operating conditions required to obtain predictable and consistent mass flow rates and slugs of desirable characteristics need to be established.The purpose of this work was to design, build and demonstrate the operation of a horizontal intermittent solid slug feeder and to test it with sawdust as the feed material. Sawdust is an extremely cohesive and difficult biomass to inject, but one that holds great potential as an important renewable feedstock for pyrolysis.The intermittent feeder designed for this work consisted of a pressurized vertical solids storage silo leading to a pneumatic pinch valve. The pinch valve, controlled by solenoid valves connected to a relay timer, released the feed into a horizontal feeding tube at a ninety degree angle. Within the silo, a rotating mixer prevented the bridging of solids. Intermittent pulses of gas from a control volume were fed into the horizontal feeding tube, as well as, in some cases, a continuous gas flow. The timing of the pulses was controlled by solenoid valves with a relay timer. While the pinch valve is opened, solids fall into the horizontal feeding tube forming a plug, which is then propelled by the pulsating gas into the reactor. The solid mass flow rate was experimentally measured by collecting the solids and continuously measuring the mass using a digital balance.Several variables were tested in order to optimize the performance of the feeder and the consistency of the feeding rate. They included the silo pressure, mixing rate, gas pulse pressure and volume, continuous gas mass flow rate, and the open pinch-valve time interval. The goals of this optimization were (a) to maximize the solid-to-gas ratio of mass flow rates, since the gas mass flux must be minimized to avoid wasting energy, and (b) to define operating conditions required to inject consistent biomass mass flow rates suitable for a laboratory scale pyrolysis reactor, and (c) to propose initial design criteria and a calibration procedure for intermittent solid slug feeders.The results demonstrated that the intermittent solid slug feeder system successfully achieved the desired objectives and showed how to efficiently select its optimum operating conditions.

Granular surface flow on an asymmetric conical heap

2019 ◽  
Vol 865 ◽  
pp. 41-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandip Mandal ◽  
D. V. Khakhar
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Angle Of Repose ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Granular Surface

We carry out an experimental study of the granular surface flow of nearly monodisperse glass beads on a conical heap formed on a rough circular disc by a narrow stream of the particles from a hopper, with the pouring point displaced from the centre of the disc. During the growth phase, an axisymmetric heap is formed, which grows either by periodic avalanches or by non-periodic avalanches that occur randomly over the azimuthal location of the heap, depending on the operating conditions and system properties. The dynamics of heap growth is characterized by the variation of the heap height, angle of repose and the angular velocity of the periodic avalanche with time, for different mass flow rates from the hopper. When the base of the heap reaches the edge of the disc closest to the pouring point, the heap stops growing and a steady surface flow of particles is developed on the heap surface, with particles flowing over the edge of the disc into a collection tray. The geometry is a unique example of a granular flow on an erodible bed without any bounding side walls. The corresponding steady state geometry of the asymmetric heap is characterized by means of surface contours and angles of repose. The streamwise and transverse surface velocities are measured using high-speed video photography and image analysis for different mass flow rates. The flowing layer thickness is measured by immersing a coated needle in the flow at different positions on the mid-line of the flow. The surface angle of the flowing layer is found to be significantly smaller than the angle of repose and to be independent of the mass flow rate. The velocity profiles at different streamwise positions for different mass flow rates are found to be geometrically similar and are well described by Gaussian functions. The flowing layer thickness is calculated from a model using the measured surface velocities. The predicted values match the measured values quite well.

scholarly journals Experimental and Numerical Assessment of the Impact of an Integrated Active Pre-Swirl Generator on Turbocharger Compressor Performance and Operating Range

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3537
Author(s):  
Charles Stuart ◽  
Stephen Spence ◽  
Sönke Teichel ◽  
Andre Starke
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Boost Pressure ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
The Impact

The implementation of increasingly stringent emissions and efficiency targets has seen engine downsizing and other complementary technologies increase in prevalence throughout the automotive sector. In order to facilitate ongoing improvements associated with the use of these strategies, delivering enhancements to the performance and stability of the turbocharger compressor when operating at low mass flow rates is of paramount importance. In spite of this, a few concepts (either active or passive) targeting such aims have successfully transitioned into use in automotive turbochargers, due primarily to the requirement for a very wide compressor-operating range. In order to overcome the operational limitations associated with existing pre-swirl generation devices such as inlet guide vanes, this study developed a concept comprising of an electrically driven axial fan mounted upstream of a standard automotive turbocharger centrifugal compressor. Rather than targeting a direct contribution to compressor boost pressure, the fan was designed to act as a variable pre-swirl generation device capable of being operated completely independently of the centrifugal impeller. It was envisioned that this architecture would allow efficient generation of the large pre-swirl angles needed for compressor surge margin extension and efficiency enhancement at low mass flow rate-operating points, while also facilitating the delivery of zero pre-swirl at higher mass flow rates to ensure no detrimental impact on performance at the rated power point of the engine. Having progressed through 1-D and 3-D aerodynamic modelling phases to understand the potential of the system, detailed component design and hardware manufacture were completed to enable an extensive experimental test campaign to be conducted. The experimental results were scrutinized to validate the numerical findings and to test the surge margin extension potential of the device. Compressor efficiency improvements of up to 3.0% pts were witnessed at the target-operating conditions.

Aerodynamic characteristics of helicopter engine side air intakes

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1355-1363
Author(s):  
Florian Knoth ◽  
Christian Breitsamter
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Plenum Chamber ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

PurposeAerodynamic characteristics of engine side air intakes for a lightweight helicopter are investigated aiming to achieve an efficient engine airframe integration. Design/methodology/approachOn a novel full-scale model of a helicopter fuselage section, a comprehensive experimental data set is obtained by wind tunnel testing. Different plenum chamber types along with static side intake and semi-dynamic side intake configurations are considered. Engine mass flow rates corresponding to the power requirements of realistic helicopter operating conditions are reproduced. For a variety of freestream velocities and mass flow rates, five-hole pressure probe data in the aerodynamic interface plane and local surface pressure distributions are compared for the geometries. FindingsIn low-speed conditions, unshielded, sideways facing air intakes yield lowest distortion levels and total pressure losses. In fast forward flight condition, a forward-facing intake shape is most beneficial. Additionally, the influence of an intake grid and plenum chamber splitter is evaluated. Originality/valueThe intake testing approach and the trends found can be applied to other novel helicopter intakes in early development stages to improve engine airframe integration and decrease development times.

scholarly journals The Importance of Dynamic Simulation on the Design and Optimization of Pipeline Transmission Systems

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mohitpour ◽  
William Thompson ◽  
Benjamin Asante
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Transient Analysis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Transmission Systems ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Transient Simulations ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

Traditionally, pipeline transmission systems have been designed using steady state simulations. Steady state simulations are sufficient for optimizing a pipeline when supply/demand scenarios are relatively stable. In the case of a gas pipeline, it is also important that flows in and out of storage are not highly variable. In general, steady state simulations will provide the designer with a reasonable level of confidence when the system is not subject to radical changes in mass flow rates or operating conditions. However, situations do arise which require more than a conventional analysis such as large load factors, surges in mass flow rates, the loss of facilities and facility operation (e.g. pigging procedures). In these and other instances, the designer will want to perform a dynamic (or transient) analysis to test the capability of the system, choose the system components and maintain the appropriate level of safety. This paper will illustrate the importance of transient simulations when designing transmission systems subject to aggressive conditions. Example scenarios, taken from current major projects, are used to depict a diverse range of dynamic problems. The examples help identify the need for a transient analysis and exemplify the downfalls in a system when the analysis is not employed during the optimization and design process.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document