Design and Analysis of a High Power Density, Low Temperature Waste Heat Recovery System Using an Oil-Free Turboalternator

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. Walton ◽  
Andrew Hunsberger ◽  
Hooshang Heshmat
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Output Power Level ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Study Results

In this paper the authors will present the design and preliminary test results for a distributed electric generating system that uses renewable energy source for economical load-following and peak-shaving capability in an oil-free, high-speed micro-turboalternator system using compliant foil bearings and a permanent magnet alternator. Test results achieved with the prototype system operating to full speed and under power generating mode will be presented. A comparison between predicted and measured electrical output will also be presented up to a power generating level of 25 kWe at approximately 55,000 rpm. The excellent correlation between design and test provides the basis for scale up to larger power levels. Based upon the turboalternator test results a thermodynamic cycle analysis of a system using low grade waste heat water at approximately 100 C will be reviewed. The tradeoff study results for a series of environmentally friendly refrigerant working fluids will also be presented including sensitivity to vaporization and condensing temperatures. Based on the cycle and pinch point analyses predicted maximum output power was determined. Finally a preliminary turbine design for the selected R134a working fluid was completed. The results of this study show that a net output power level of greater than 40 kW is possible for approximately 240 l/m flow of water at 100C is possible.

scholarly journals AUTOMATIC BIOMASS BOILER WITH AN EXTERNAL THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Brázdil ◽  
Ladislav Šnajdárek ◽  
Petr Kracík ◽  
Jirí Pospíšil
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Power Supply ◽  
Thermoelectric Generator ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Heat Output ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Biomass Boiler

This paper presents the design and test results of an external thermoelectric generator that utilizes the waste heat from a small-scale domestic biomass boiler with nominal rated heat output of 25 kW. The low-temperature Bi2Te3 generator based on thermoelectric modules has the potential to recover waste heat from gas combustion products as effective energy. The small-scale generator is constructed from independent segments. Measurements have shown that up to 11 W of electricity can be generated by one segment. Higher output power can be achieved by linking thermoelectric segments. The maximum output power is given by the dew point of the flue gas. The electrical energy that is generated can be used, e.g., for power supply or for charging batteries. In the near future, thermoelectric generators could completely eliminate the dependence an automated domestic boiler system on the power supply from the electricity grid, and could ensure comfortable operation in the event of an unexpected power grid failure.

Cost performance trade-off in thermoelectric modules with low fractional area coverage

2012 ◽  
Vol 1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuaki Yazawa ◽  
Ali Shakouri
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Thermoelectric Module ◽  
Area Coverage ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Waste Heat Recovery System ◽  
Fractional Area

ABSTRACTWe report a comprehensive study of the cost of materials used in the thermoelectric module as the elements, substrate, and metal interconnect are optimized for maximum output power. The power conversion cost [$/W] is analyzed. The maximum power output is found by matching both thermal and electrical impedances to the external load and heat sink. The fractional area coverage or fill factor of the thermoelement (leg) in the module is a key factor which affects the overall cost of the waste heat recovery system. Thermal spreading resistance is a function of the thermal conductivity and the thickness of the substrates. Also the air gap between the legs contributes to parasitic heat loss from the hot to the cold substrate through heat conduction and radiative heat transfer. The optimum fill factor under atmospheric air-pressure is found to be on the order of a few percent. We also take into account the three-dimensional current flow and the effect of the metallization thickness on the series resistance in the module. Calculations identify the minimum metal trace thickness needed to have a minimum impact on output power generation.

scholarly journals Effects of Design Parameters on Fuel Economy and Output Power in an Automotive Thermoelectric Generator

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martí Comamala ◽  
Ivan Ruiz Cózar ◽  
Albert Massaguer ◽  
Eduard Massaguer ◽  
Toni Pujol
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Output Power ◽  
Fuel Economy ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Back Pressure ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Sustainable Mobility

The need for more sustainable mobility promoted research into the use of waste heat to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. As such, thermoelectric generation is a promising technique thanks to its robustness and simplicity. Automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEGs) are installed in the tailpipe and convert heat directly into electricity. Previous works on ATEGs mainly focused on extracting the maximum amount of electrical power. However, the back pressure caused by the ATEG heavily influences fuel consumption. Here, an ATEG numerical model was first validated with experimental data and then applied to investigate the effects that modifying the main ATEG design parameters had on both fuel economy and output power. The cooling flow rate and the geometrical dimensions of the heat exchanger on the hot side and the cold side of the ATEG were varied. The design that produced the maximum output power differed from that which maximized fuel economy. Back pressure was the most limiting factor in attaining fuel savings. Back pressure values lower than 5 mbar led to a < 0.2% increase in fuel consumption. In the ATEG design analyzed here, the generation of electrical output power reduced fuel consumption by a maximum of 0.5%.

scholarly journals Power and Fuel Economy of a Radial Automotive Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental and Numerical Studies

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martí Comamala ◽  
Toni Pujol ◽  
Ivan Ruiz Cózar ◽  
Eduard Massaguer ◽  
Albert Massaguer
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Fuel Economy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Te Modules ◽  
Automotive Thermoelectric Generator

Recent developments of high performance thermoelectric (TE) materials have increased the interest of using this technology to directly convert waste heat into electricity. In the automotive sector, many automotive thermoelectric generators (ATEGs) designs use TE modules (TEMs) with high hot side temperatures to cope with high engine load regimes. Here, we develop a new concept of a radial ATEG that is specifically designed to work with low temperature TEMs, which enables the use of Pb-free modules and reduces the thermal stress of the device. A prototype is built and tested at different regimes in an engine test bench. A numerical model of the ATEG is developed and validated. The consequences of modifying (1) the exchange area between the heat absorber and the exhaust gases and (2) the effective figure of merit of TEMs on the electrical output power and fuel economy are investigated by means of simulations. Results indicate that the maximum fuel economy (1.3%) is not attained at the point of maximum output power (228 W). In terms of fuel economy, the back pressure at the exhaust penalizes high mass flow regimes. We use a dimensionless parameter to analyze the potential of the ATEG for reducing fuel consumption.

scholarly journals One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 508
Author(s):  
Kui You ◽  
Zihan Zhou ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Qiao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Electrode Materials ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Composite Cathode ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Electrochemical Systems ◽  
Composite Cathodes ◽  
One Step ◽  
Microbial Electrochemical Systems ◽  
Hot Melt

Biochar is a kind of carbon-rich material formed by pyrolysis of biomass at high temperature in the absence or limitation of oxygen. It has abundant pore structure and a large surface area, which could be considered the beneficial characteristics for electrodes of microbial electrochemical systems. In this study, reed was used as the raw material of biochar and six biochar-based electrode materials were obtained by three methods, including one-step biochar cathodes (BC 800 and BC 700), biochar/polyethylene composite cathodes (BP 5:5 and BP 6:4), and biochar/polyaniline/hot-melt adhesive composite cathode (BPP 5:1:4 and BPP 4:1:5). The basic physical properties and electrochemical properties of the self-made biochar electrode materials were characterized. Selected biochar-based electrode materials were used as the cathode of sediment microbial electrochemical reactors. The reactor with pure biochar electrode (BC 800) achieves a maximum output power density of 9.15 ± 0.02 mW/m2, which increases the output power by nearly 80% compared with carbon felt. When using a biochar/polyaniline/hot-melt adhesive (BPP 5:1:4) composite cathode, the output power was increased by 2.33 times. Under the premise of ensuring the molding of the material, the higher the content of biochar, the better the electrochemical performance of the electrodes. The treatment of reed powder before pyrolysis is an important factor for the molding of biochar. The one-step molding biochar cathode had satisfactory performance in sediment microbial electrochemical systems. By exploring the biochar-based electrode, waste biomass could be reused, which is beneficial for the environment.

scholarly journals Study of the Properties of a Hybrid Piezoelectric and Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for a Civil Engineering Low-Frequency Sloshing Environment

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Nan Wu ◽  
Yuncheng He ◽  
Jiyang Fu ◽  
Peng Liao
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Energy Harvester ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Electromagnetic Energy ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Piezoelectric Film ◽  
Hybrid Energy ◽  
Level Height

In this paper a novel hybrid piezoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvester for civil engineering low-frequency sloshing environment is reported. The architecture, fabrication and characterization of the harvester are discussed. The hybrid energy harvester is composed of a permanent magnet, copper coil, and PVDF(polyvinylidene difluoride) piezoelectric film, and the upper U-tube device containing a cylindrical fluid barrier is connected to the foundation support plate by a hinge and spring. The two primary means of energy collection were through the vortex street, which alternately impacted the PVDF piezoelectric film through fluid shedding, and the electromotive force (EMF) induced by changes in the magnetic field position in the conducting coil. Experimentally, the maximum output power of the piezoelectric transformer of the hybrid energy harvester was 2.47 μW (circuit load 270 kΩ; liquid level height 80 mm); and the maximum output power of the electromagnetic generator was 2.72 μW (circuit load 470 kΩ; liquid level height 60 mm). The low-frequency sloshing energy collected by this energy harvester can drive microsensors for civil engineering monitoring.

A Parametric Examination of the Factors Affecting the Performance of a Diffusion Absorption Refrigeration System

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-38
Author(s):  
Noman Yousuf ◽  
Timothy Anderson ◽  
Roy Nates
Keyword(s):  
Waste Heat ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Absorption Refrigeration ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Thermally Driven ◽  
Mass Flowrate ◽  
Diffusion Absorption

Abstract Despite being identified nearly a century ago, the diffusion absorption refrigeration (DAR) cycle has received relatively little attention. One of the strongest attractions of the DAR cycle lies in the fact that it is thermally driven and does not require high value work. This makes it a prime candidate for harnessing low grade heat from solar collectors, or the waste heat from stationary generators, to produce cooling. However, to realize the benefits of the DAR cycle, there is a need to develop an improved understanding of how design parameters influence its performance. In this vein, this work developed a new parametric model that can be used to examine the performance of the DAR cycle for a range of operating conditions. The results showed that the cycle's performance was particularly sensitive to several factors: the rate of heat added and the temperature of the generator, the effectiveness of the gas and solution heat exchangers, the mass flowrate of the refrigerant and the type of the working fluid. It was shown that can deliver good performance at low generator temperatures if the refrigerant mass fraction in the strong solution is made as high as possible. Moreover, it was shown that a H2O-LiBr working pair could be useful for achieving cooling at low generator temperatures.

LD-pumped high-power continuous-wave Pr3+:YLF deep red lasers at 718.5 and 720.8 nm

Laser Physics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 025801
Author(s):  
Xiangrui Liu ◽  
Zhuang Li ◽  
Chengkun Shi ◽  
Bo Xiao ◽  
Run Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
High Power ◽  
Slope Efficiency ◽  
Laser Emission ◽  
Continuous Wave ◽  
Optical Glass ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Glass Plate ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
First Time

Abstract We demonstrated 22 W LD-pumped high-power continuous-wave (CW) deep red laser operations at 718.5 and 720.8 nm based on an a-cut Pr3+:YLF crystal. The output power of both polarized directions reached the watt-level without output power saturation. A single wavelength laser operated at 720.8 nm in the π-polarized direction was achieved, with a high output power of 4.5 W and high slope efficiency of approximately 41.5%. To the best of our knowledge, under LD-pumped conditions, the laser output power and slope efficiency are the highest at 721 nm. By using a compact optical glass plate as an intracavity etalon, we suppressed the π-polarized 720.8 nm laser emission. And σ-polarized single-wavelength laser emission at 718.5 nm was achieved, with a maximum output power of 1.45 W and a slope efficiency of approximately 17.8%. This is the first time that we have achieved the σ-polarized laser emission at 718.5 nm generated by Pr3+:YLF lasers.

Modelling of Mechanical Nonlinearity in an Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvester Using a Forced Duffing Equation

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. Moss ◽  
L. A. Vandewater ◽  
S. C. Galea
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Energy Harvester ◽  
Duffing Oscillator ◽  
Maximum Output Power ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvester ◽  
Homotopy Analysis ◽  
Wire Coil

This work reports on the modelling and experimental validation of a bi-axial vibration energy harvesting approach that uses a permanent-magnet/ball-bearing arrangement and a wire-coil transducer. The harvester’s behaviour is modelled using a forced Duffing oscillator, and the primary first order steady state resonant solutions are found using the homotopy analysis method (or HAM). Solutions found are shown to compare well with measured bearing displacements and harvested output power, and are used to predict the wideband frequency response of this type of vibration energy harvester. A prototype harvesting arrangement produced a maximum output power of 12.9 mW from a 12 Hz, 500 milli-g (or 4.9 m/s2) rms excitation.

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