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Doubling the thermo-osmotic energy conversion efficiency through the reduction of heat and mass transfer resistance

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  • Zhang, Yifan
  • Li, Ji
  • Zhang, Zikang
  • Tan, Yubo
  • Liu, Zhichun
  • Liu, Wei

Abstract

Enhancing efficiency is crucial to applying low-grade heat energy. Thermo-osmotic energy conversion (TOEC) system is a promising and efficient method to utilize low-grade heat. This study systematically investigates integrating high thermal conductivity network into the liquid chamber to decrease heat transfer resistance and examine the impact of water degassing on the transmembrane resistance. These measures notably boost the system's experimental and theoretical efficiencies, doubling them compared to similar systems. Furthermore, the experimental water flux of a single-stage TOEC system also reaches an attractive value of 56.69 L/m2/h. The theoretical model reveals that the 38-stage system attains a peak operational efficiency of 4.72 % and a corresponding power density of 34.05 W/m2 at heating and cooling temperatures of 80 °C and 40 °C, respectively. This study exhibits a feasible approach for enhancing the efficiency of TOEC system and improving the water yield of pressure-retarded membrane distillation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Yifan & Li, Ji & Zhang, Zikang & Tan, Yubo & Liu, Zhichun & Liu, Wei, 2025. "Doubling the thermo-osmotic energy conversion efficiency through the reduction of heat and mass transfer resistance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 389(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:389:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925004702
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125740
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