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A single-reciprocating-piston two-phase thermofluidic prime-mover

Author

Listed:
  • Taleb, Aly I.
  • Timmer, Michael A.G.
  • El-Shazly, Mohamed Y.
  • Samoilov, Aleksandr
  • Kirillov, Valeriy A.
  • Markides, Christos N.

Abstract

We explore theoretically a thermodynamic heat-engine concept that has the potential of attaining a high efficiency and power density relative to competing solutions, while having a simple construction with few moving parts and dynamic seals, allowing low capital and operating costs, and long lifetimes. Specifically, an unsteady heat-engine device within which a working fluid undergoes a power cycle featuring phase-change, termed the ‘Evaporative Reciprocating-Piston Engine’ (EPRE) is considered as a potential prime mover for use in combined heat and power (CHP) applications. Based on thermal/fluid-electrical analogies, a theoretical ERPE device is conceptualized initially in the electrical-analogy domain as a linearized, closed-loop active electronic circuit model. The circuit-model representation is designed to potentially exhibit high efficiencies compared to similar, existing two-phase unsteady heat engines. From the simplified circuit model in the electrical domain, and using the thermal/fluid-electrical analogies, one possible configuration of a corresponding physical ERPE device is derived, based on an early prototype of a device currently under development that exhibits some similarities with the ERPE, and used as a physical manifestation of the proposed concept. The corresponding physical ERPE device relies on the alternating phase change of a suitable working-fluid (here, water) to drive a reciprocating displacement of a single vertical piston and to produce sustained oscillations of thermodynamic properties within an enclosed space. Four performance indicators are considered: the operational frequency, the power output, the exergy efficiency, and the heat input/temperature difference imposed externally on the device's heat exchangers that is necessary to sustain oscillations. The effects of liquid inertia, viscous drag, hydrostatic pressure, vapour compressibility and two-phase heat transfer in the various engine components/compartments are examined, via changes to thermodynamic/thermophysical/transport properties and also geometrical features of the ERPE. It is found that for high efficiency and power output: (1) the vapour dead-spaces must be minimized; (2) the length of the tube that connects the displacer and working cylinders must be of significant length; and, (3) the heat-exchanger blocks must have a low thermal resistance and high heat capacity. The methodological approach implemented in this study can be used to guide the proposal, early-stage design and verification of these complex unsteady thermodynamic systems, while offering important suggestions for improved performance and system optimization.

Suggested Citation

  • Taleb, Aly I. & Timmer, Michael A.G. & El-Shazly, Mohamed Y. & Samoilov, Aleksandr & Kirillov, Valeriy A. & Markides, Christos N., 2016. "A single-reciprocating-piston two-phase thermofluidic prime-mover," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 250-265.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:104:y:2016:i:c:p:250-265
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.02.113
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Markides, Christos N. & Gupta, Ajay, 2013. "Experimental investigation of a thermally powered central heating circulator: Pumping characteristics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 132-146.
    2. Solanki, Roochi & Mathie, Richard & Galindo, Amparo & Markides, Christos N., 2013. "Modelling of a two-phase thermofluidic oscillator for low-grade heat utilisation: Accounting for irreversible thermal losses," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 337-354.
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    6. Markides, Christos N. & Smith, Thomas C.B., 2011. "A dynamic model for the efficiency optimization of an oscillatory low grade heat engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 6967-6980.
    7. Glushenkov, Maxim & Sprenkeler, Martin & Kronberg, Alexander & Kirillov, Valeriy, 2012. "Single-piston alternative to Stirling engines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 743-748.
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    1. Tan, Jingqi & Luo, Jiaqi & Huang, Jiale & Wei, Jianjian & Jin, Tao, 2020. "A closed two-phase thermofluidic oscillator with zeotropic mixtures for low-grade heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    2. Christoph J.W. Kirmse & Oyeniyi A. Oyewunmi & Andrew J. Haslam & Christos N. Markides, 2016. "Comparison of a Novel Organic-Fluid Thermofluidic Heat Converter and an Organic Rankine Cycle Heat Engine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-26, June.
    3. White, M.T. & Oyewunmi, O.A. & Chatzopoulou, M.A. & Pantaleo, A.M. & Haslam, A.J. & Markides, C.N., 2018. "Computer-aided working-fluid design, thermodynamic optimisation and thermoeconomic assessment of ORC systems for waste-heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 1181-1198.
    4. Chatzopoulou, Maria Anna & Markides, Christos N., 2018. "Thermodynamic optimisation of a high-electrical efficiency integrated internal combustion engine – Organic Rankine cycle combined heat and power system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 1229-1251.
    5. Emadi, Mohammad Ali & Chitgar, Nazanin & Oyewunmi, Oyeniyi A. & Markides, Christos N., 2020. "Working-fluid selection and thermoeconomic optimisation of a combined cycle cogeneration dual-loop organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) waste-heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    6. 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.
    7. Zhu, Shunmin & Yu, Guoyao & O, Jongmin & Xu, Tao & Wu, Zhanghua & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2018. "Modeling and experimental investigation of a free-piston Stirling engine-based micro-combined heat and power system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 522-533.
    8. Kirmse, Christoph J.W. & Oyewunmi, Oyeniyi A. & Taleb, Aly I. & Haslam, Andrew J. & Markides, Christos N., 2017. "A two-phase single-reciprocating-piston heat conversion engine: Non-linear dynamic modelling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 359-375.
    9. Oyewunmi, Oyeniyi A. & Kirmse, Christoph J.W. & Haslam, Andrew J. & Müller, Erich A. & Markides, Christos N., 2017. "Working-fluid selection and performance investigation of a two-phase single-reciprocating-piston heat-conversion engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 376-395.
    10. Isa, Normazlina Mat & Tan, Chee Wei & Yatim, A.H.M., 2018. "A comprehensive review of cogeneration system in a microgrid: A perspective from architecture and operating system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2236-2263.

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