IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v170y2019icp611-618.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Design and performance of a miniature free piston expander

Author

Listed:
  • Burugupally, Sindhu Preetham
  • Weiss, Leland

Abstract

Heat engines are known for high power and energy densities compared to chemical batteries. The availability of free thermal energy —solar and ‘waste heat’ from electronics provide an opportunity for power generation at miniature length scales (millimeter). Though free piston based expanders at macro length scales (centimeter and above) are found to be suitable for heat energy harvesting, their implementation at miniature scales are challenged by significant parasitic losses such as heat loss and pumping work, yielding low thermal efficiencies. In this manuscript, through physics-based models the behavior and performance of a miniature free piston expander that operates on an open cycle was investigated. Here, the design space of the free piston expander with an objective to achieve an efficiency of at least 15% was explored. Three observations are reported that contribute to higher efficiency operation: (1) a higher injection pressure; (2) an optimum nondimensionalized duration of injection time of 1.5; and (3) softer springs, lower loads, and heavier pistons. A sample calculation showed that a centimeter-sized expander can generate an output power of 2.24 W at 18% efficiency. This study shows that both the performance parameters of the expander, namely efficiency and output power are sensitive to injection pressure of the working fluid compared to the time duration of the working fluid injection. The study reveals that the miniature free piston expander is promising for low temperature waste-heat harvesting.

Suggested Citation

  • Burugupally, Sindhu Preetham & Weiss, Leland, 2019. "Design and performance of a miniature free piston expander," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 611-618.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:170:y:2019:i:c:p:611-618
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.158
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544218325325
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.158?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Preetham, B.S. & Weiss, L., 2016. "Investigations of a new free piston expander engine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 535-545.
    2. Ziapour, B.M., 2009. "Performance analysis of an enhanced thermosyphon Rankine cycle using impulse turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1636-1641.
    3. Thapa, Suvhashis & Borquist, Eric & Weiss, Leland, 2018. "Thermal energy recovery via integrated small scale boiler and superheater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 765-772.
    4. Formosa, Fabien & Fréchette, Luc G., 2013. "Scaling laws for free piston Stirling engine design: Benefits and challenges of miniaturization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 796-808.
    5. Lei, Biao & Wang, Wei & Wu, Yu-Ting & Ma, Chong-Fang & Wang, Jing-Fu & Zhang, Lei & Li, Chuang & Zhao, Ying-Kun & Zhi, Rui-Ping, 2016. "Development and experimental study on a single screw expander integrated into an Organic Rankine Cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 43-52.
    6. Giuffrida, Antonio, 2018. "A theoretical study on the performance of a scroll expander in an organic Rankine cycle with hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) in place of R245fa," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 1172-1180.
    7. Gaosheng Li & Hongguang Zhang & Fubin Yang & Songsong Song & Ying Chang & Fei Yu & Jingfu Wang & Baofeng Yao, 2016. "Preliminary Development of a Free Piston Expander–Linear Generator for Small-Scale Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Waste Heat Recovery System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-18, April.
    8. Yamamoto, Takahisa & Furuhata, Tomohiko & Arai, Norio & Mori, Koichi, 2001. "Design and testing of the Organic Rankine Cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 239-251.
    9. Wenzhi, Gao & Junmeng, Zhai & Guanghua, Li & Qiang, Bian & Liming, Feng, 2013. "Performance evaluation and experiment system for waste heat recovery of diesel engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 226-235.
    10. Liu, Bo-Tau & Chien, Kuo-Hsiang & Wang, Chi-Chuan, 2004. "Effect of working fluids on organic Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1207-1217.
    11. Xu, Yonghong & Tong, Liang & Zhang, Hongguang & Hou, Xiaochen & Yang, Fubin & Yu, Fei & Yang, Yuxin & Liu, Rong & Tian, Yaming & Zhao, Tenglong, 2018. "Experimental and simulation study of a free piston expander–linear generator for small-scale organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 776-791.
    12. Talluri, L. & Fiaschi, D. & Neri, G. & Ciappi, L., 2018. "Design and optimization of a Tesla turbine for ORC applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 300-319.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhuxian Liu & Zhong Wu & Yonghong Xu & Hongguang Zhang & Jian Zhang & Fubin Yang, 2022. "Performance Investigation of Single–Piston Free Piston Expander–Linear Generator with Multi–Parameter Based on Simulation Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-28, November.
    2. Hou, Xiaochen & Ji, Deliang & Zhou, Dan & Gao, Haibo, 2023. "Simulation study and performance analysis of free piston linear generator (FPLG) used for ORC system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    3. Baoying Peng & Kai Zhang & Liang Tong & Yonghong Xu, 2023. "Research on Gas Recycling of Free-Piston Expander–Linear Generator for Organic Rankine Cycle of Vehicle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Bianchi, M. & Branchini, L. & De Pascale, A. & Melino, F. & Ottaviano, S. & Peretto, A. & Torricelli, N., 2019. "Application and comparison of semi-empirical models for performance prediction of a kW-size reciprocating piston expander," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C), pages 143-156.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sindhu Preetham Burugupally & Leland Weiss, 2018. "Power Generation via Small Length Scale Thermo-Mechanical Systems: Current Status and Challenges, a Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Xu, Yonghong & Tong, Liang & Zhang, Hongguang & Hou, Xiaochen & Yang, Fubin & Yu, Fei & Yang, Yuxin & Liu, Rong & Tian, Yaming & Zhao, Tenglong, 2018. "Experimental and simulation study of a free piston expander–linear generator for small-scale organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 776-791.
    3. Tian, Yaming & Zhang, Hongguang & Li, Jian & Hou, Xiaochen & Zhao, Tenglong & Yang, Fubin & Xu, Yonghong & Wang, Xin, 2018. "Development and validation of a single-piston free piston expander-linear generator for a small-scale organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 809-820.
    4. Hou, Xiaochen & Zhang, Hongguang & Zhao, Tenglong & Xu, Yonghong & Tian, Yaming & Li, Jian & Zhang, Mengru & Wu, Yuting, 2019. "A comparison study and performance analysis of free piston expander-linear generator for organic Rankine cycle system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 136-143.
    5. Yang, Fubin & Zhang, Hongguang & Hou, Xiaochen & Tian, Yaming & Xu, Yonghong, 2019. "Experimental study and artificial neural network based prediction of a free piston expander-linear generator for small scale organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 630-644.
    6. Fuhaid Alshammari & Apostolos Karvountzis-Kontakiotis & Apostolos Pesyridis & Muhammad Usman, 2018. "Expander Technologies for Automotive Engine Organic Rankine Cycle Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-36, July.
    7. He, Chao & Liu, Chao & Zhou, Mengtong & Xie, Hui & Xu, Xiaoxiao & Wu, Shuangying & Li, Yourong, 2014. "A new selection principle of working fluids for subcritical organic Rankine cycle coupling with different heat sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 283-291.
    8. Vélez, Fredy & Segovia, José J. & Martín, M. Carmen & Antolín, Gregorio & Chejne, Farid & Quijano, Ana, 2012. "A technical, economical and market review of organic Rankine cycles for the conversion of low-grade heat for power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 4175-4189.
    9. Ghasemi, Hadi & Paci, Marco & Tizzanini, Alessio & Mitsos, Alexander, 2013. "Modeling and optimization of a binary geothermal power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 412-428.
    10. Wang, E.H. & Zhang, H.G. & Fan, B.Y. & Ouyang, M.G. & Zhao, Y. & Mu, Q.H., 2011. "Study of working fluid selection of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) for engine waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 3406-3418.
    11. Li, You-Rong & Du, Mei-Tang & Wu, Shuang-Ying & Peng, Lan & Liu, Chao, 2012. "Exergoeconomic analysis and optimization of a condenser for a binary mixture of vapors in organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 341-347.
    12. Li, Tailu & Fu, Wencheng & Zhu, Jialing, 2014. "An integrated optimization for organic Rankine cycle based on entransy theory and thermodynamics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 561-573.
    13. Jing, Li & Gang, Pei & Jie, Ji, 2010. "Optimization of low temperature solar thermal electric generation with Organic Rankine Cycle in different areas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(11), pages 3355-3365, November.
    14. Liu, Chao & He, Chao & Gao, Hong & Xie, Hui & Li, Yourong & Wu, Shuangying & Xu, Jinliang, 2013. "The environmental impact of organic Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery through life-cycle assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 144-154.
    15. Roy, J.P. & Misra, Ashok, 2012. "Parametric optimization and performance analysis of a regenerative Organic Rankine Cycle using R-123 for waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 227-235.
    16. Tian, Hua & Shu, Gequn & Wei, Haiqiao & Liang, Xingyu & Liu, Lina, 2012. "Fluids and parameters optimization for the organic Rankine cycles (ORCs) used in exhaust heat recovery of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 125-136.
    17. Chen, Huijuan & Goswami, D. Yogi & Stefanakos, Elias K., 2010. "A review of thermodynamic cycles and working fluids for the conversion of low-grade heat," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 3059-3067, December.
    18. Shalaby, S.M., 2017. "Reverse osmosis desalination powered by photovoltaic and solar Rankine cycle power systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 789-797.
    19. Cho, Soo-Yong & Cho, Chong-Hyun, 2015. "An experimental study on the organic Rankine cycle to determine as to how efficiently utilize fluctuating thermal energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 73-79.
    20. Cho, Soo-Yong & Cho, Chong-Hyun & Choi, Sang-Kyu, 2015. "Experiment and cycle analysis on a partially admitted axial-type turbine used in the organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 643-651.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:170:y:2019:i:c:p:611-618. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.