scholarly journals Efficient Thermal Cycle Undergoing Adiabatic Contraction Based Work by Releasing Heat

Author(s):  
Ramon Ferreiro Garcia

By means of observational evidence it is shown that, among the vast amount of heat-work interactions occurring in closed process based transformations, there exists the possibility of doing a transformation characterized by doing useful mechanical work by contraction based compression, while increasing the internal energy. Such thermodynamic transformation has never been considered in processes. However, in reality closed contraction based compression process are physically possible in which net work is produced by contraction of a thermal working fluid while fulfilling the fundamental laws. Thus, the objective is therefore to analyze heat-work interaction modes in closed processes conducted by heat addition, heat extracting and net work done by the process. Therefore, this analysis focuses on the feasible thermodynamic transformations contributing to the achievement of efficient closed processes based thermal cycles. The proposed cycles are characterized by performing mechanical work both in the expansion phase due to heat addition, and in the compression phase due to heat releasing. The cycles achieved are characterized by operating with closed thermal processes in which both transformations with isochoric heat addition and isochoric heat extraction are associated with useful mechanical work at high performance. The analysis of the cycle between top working temperatures ranging from 350 to 700 K while botom temperature approaches 300 K has been carried out, corroborated by experimental validation for low temperatures, in the order of 350 degrees Kelvin through a test bench designed specifically for this task. It is also worth noting that the thermal efficiency is independent of the temperature ratio. Therefore the results indicate that for lower temperatures below 690 K, the thermal efficiency of the cycle exceeds the Carnot factor, which is an efficient means of recovering residual or low-grade heat efficiently.

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Balaji Bakthavatchalam ◽  
Khairul Habib ◽  
R. Saidur ◽  
Navid Aslfattahi ◽  
Syed Mohd Yahya ◽  
...  

Since technology progresses, the need to optimize the thermal system’s heat transfer efficiency is continuously confronted by researchers. A primary constraint in the production of heat transfer fluids needed for ultra-high performance was its intrinsic poor heat transfer properties. MXene, a novel 2D nanoparticle possessing fascinating properties has emerged recently as a potential heat dissipative solute in nanofluids. In this research, 2D MXenes (Ti3C2) are synthesized via chemical etching and blended with a binary solution containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and ionic liquid (IL) to formulate stable nanofluids at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 wt%. Furthermore, the effect of different temperatures on the studied liquid’s thermophysical characteristics such as thermal conductivity, density, viscosity, specific heat capacity, thermal stability and the rheological property was experimentally conducted. A computational analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of ionic liquid-based 2D MXene nanofluid (Ti3C2/DEG+IL) in hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems. A 3D numerical model is developed to evaluate the thermal efficiency, electrical efficiency, heat transfer coefficient, pumping power and temperature distribution. The simulations proved that the studied working fluid in the PV/T system results in an enhancement of thermal efficiency, electrical efficiency and heat transfer coefficient by 78.5%, 18.7% and 6%, respectively.


2021 ◽  
Vol 238 ◽  
pp. 10005
Author(s):  
Lucie Lefebvre ◽  
Ward De Paepe ◽  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Alberto Traverso

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a thermodynamic cycle that can operate with a hot source over a wide range of temperatures, especially with low-grade heat (below 200°C). One of the main limitations for the success of small-scale ORC cycles (few to 100 kWe) is the relatively low isentropic efficiency of the typically used turbomachinery. Low turbine efficiency leads to low ORC cycle performance. To increase the performance of the cycle, the turbine efficiency must be increase, however, this significantly increases the cost of the machinery, making the cycle less profitable. In this work, the performance evaluation of low-temperature ORC cycles (100-150°C) with heat extraction along the expansion process is investigated, in an attempt to overcome this limitation. The studied cycle works in the same way as a conventional ORC, except that during the expansion process, heat is extracted. This heat is re-used later in the cycle, just before the hot source, allowing to reduce its load. The different cycles presented in this paper, using pentane as working fluid, are compared based on their exergetic and energetic efficiencies. The influence of three parameters on the cycle performance is studied: the regeneration ratio, the maximum temperature of the cycle and the turbine isentropic efficiency. In the case of a cycle using pentane with a maximum temperature of 150 °C and an turbine isentropic efficiency of 65%, the energy efficiency increases from 6.2% to 16.3% when going from no regeneration to full regeneration, and the exergy efficiency increases from 21.1 to 45.8%.. Secondly, the influence of the maximum temperature of the cycle is studied. Using pentane as the working fluid, the higher the maximum temperature is, the larger the benefits of heat extraction. However, this temperature cannot exceed the critical temperature of the organic fluid to stay in the case of a subcritical cycle. Finally, considering the turbine isentropic efficiency, it is possible to demonstrate that using a less efficient turbine, for example in small ORC systems, the performance of a cycle with an ideal turbine isentropic efficiency (100%) can be achieved compensating at cycle level the turbine losses with the heat extraction along the expansion process.


Author(s):  
Jin Young Heo ◽  
Yoonhan Ahn ◽  
Jeong Ik Lee

For the concentrating solar power (CSP) applications, the supercritical carbon dioxide (s-CO2) power cycle is beneficial in many aspects, including higher cycle efficiencies, reduced component sizing, and potential for the dry cooling option, in comparison to the conventional steam Rankine cycle. Increasing number of investigations and research projects are involved in improving this technology to realize the s-CO2 cycle as a candidate to replace the conventional power conversion systems. In this conceptual study, an isothermal compressor, a turbomachine which undergoes the compression process at constant temperature to minimize compression work, is applied to the s-CO2 power cycle layout. To investigate the cycle performance changes of adopting the novel technology, a framework for defining the efficiency of the isothermal compressor is revised and suggested. This study demonstrates how the compression work for the isothermal compressor is reduced compared to that of the conventional compressor under varying compressor inlet conditions. Furthermore, the recompression Brayton cycle layout using s-CO2 as a working fluid is evaluated for the CSP applications. Results show that for compressor inlet temperatures (CIT) near the critical point, the simple recuperated Brayton cycle with an isothermal compressor performs better than the given reference recompression cycle by 6–10% points in terms of cycle thermal efficiency. For higher CIT values, the recompression cycle using an isothermal compressor can perform above 50% in thermal efficiency. Adopting an isothermal compressor in the s-CO2 layout, however, can imply larger heat exchange area for the compressor which requires further detailed design for realization in the future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 6165-6182
Author(s):  
Ramon Ferreiro Garcia ◽  
Dr. Jose Carbia Carril

This research work deals with a feasible non-regenerative thermal cycle, composed by two pairs of closed polytropic-isochoric transformations implemented by means of a double acting reciprocating cylinder which differs basically from the conventional Carnot based thermal cycles in that: -it consists of a non condensing mode thermal cycle -all cycle involves only closed transformations, instead of the conventional open processes of the Carnot based thermal cycles, -in the active processes (polytropic path functions), as heat is being absorbed, mechanical work is simultaneously performed, avoiding the conventional quasi-adiabatic expansion or compression processes inherent to the Carnot based cycles and, -during the closed polytropic processes, mechanical work is also performed by means of the working fluid contraction due to heat releasing. An analysis of the proposed cycle is carried out for helium as working fluid and results are compared with those of a Carnot engine operating under the same ratio of temperatures. As a result of the cycle analysis, it follows that the ratio of top to the bottom cycle temperatures has very low dependence on the ideal thermal efficiency, but the specific work, and, furthermore, within the range of relative low operating temperatures, high thermal efficiency is achieved, surpassing the Carnot factor.


Author(s):  
Hanfei Tuo

The CO2 transcritical Rankine power cycle has been widely investigated recently, because of its better temperature glide matching between sensible heat source and working fluid in vapor generator, and its desirable qualities, such as moderate critical point, little environment impact and low cost. A reheat CO2 transcritical power cycle with two stage expansion is presented to improve baseline cycle performance in this paper. Energy and exergy analysis are carried out to investigate parametric effects on cycle performance. The main results show that reheat cycle performance is sensitive to the medium pressures and the optimum pressures exist for maximizing net work output and thermal efficiency, respectively. Reheat cycle is compared to baseline cycle under the same conditions. More significant improvements by reheat are obtained at lower turbine inlet temperatures and/or larger high cycle pressure. Work output improvement is much higher than thermal efficiency improvement, because extra waste heat is required to reheat CO2. Based on second law analysis, exergy efficiency of reheat cycle is also higher than that of baseline cycle, because more useful work is converted from waste heat. Reheat with two stage expansion has great potential to improve thermal efficiency and especially net work output of a CO2 transcritical power cycle using a low-grade heat source.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 024-045
Author(s):  
Iniobong Gregory Frank ◽  
B. Nkoi ◽  
I. E. Douglas

In this research, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is used to recover heat from exhaust gas of a four-stroke diesel engine. After retrofitting ORC to the engine, Brake power increased from 10473.91 kW to combined – cycle Brake power of 10736.00kW, thermal efficiency increased from 36.01% to combined – cycle thermal efficiency of 51.32% and Exhaust gas temperature decrease from 358oC to 120oC at the exit of the turbocharger. ORC with R12, R22, R134a and R290 as working fluids at saturation and superheated temperatures, pressures and condenser pressures at different ranges were used to compare refrigerants performance in converting low grade exhaust gas waste heat into useful work. This research presents theoretical analysis on four different refrigerants. Applying the above-mentioned refrigerants as working fluid superheated vapour temperature for R12 is 131.72oC, R134a is 129.37oC, R22 is 113.40oC and R290 is 116.95oC. ORC Power generated by turbine gives 94.98kW, 95.56kW. 130.32kW. 262.64kW respectively, ORC Thermal efficiency gives 36%, 29%, 37% and 38% for R12, R22, R134a, and R290 respectively. Combined – cycle power for each of the refrigerant gives 10568.89kW, 10604.23kW, 10569.47kW and 10736.00kW respectively, combined – cycle thermal efficiency for each refrigerant gives 51.14%, 51.18%, 51.14% and 51.32% for R12, R134a, R22 and R290 respectively. R290 offers optimal performance compared to other refrigerants used in this research. The retrofitting of the ORC has saved some supposedly waste exhaust heat energy and has increased both combined cycle power output and thermal efficiency of the engine cycle.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


Author(s):  
Noman Yousuf ◽  
Timothy Anderson ◽  
Roy Nates

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.


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