Engineeringness’ Post

Such innovations can deliver least cost 24x7 RE via CSP and storage

Numerical investigation and comparison of tubular solar cavity receivers for simultaneous generation of superheated steam and hot air Solar cavity receivers are a crucial technology to transform solar energy into easily usable thermal energy. Various cavity receiver structures employing helical absorber tubes were investigated to provide either superheated steam or hot air efficiently. However, few studies have focused on receivers that generate both hot fluids simultaneously. The simultanoues generation can lead to a more compact and cheaper system, and can be used for applications such as a high-temperature electrolysis to produce green hydrogen or syngas. In our study, three different tubular solar cavity receivers were proposed and numerically investigated. Each receiver consists of three different processes: (1) water evaporation, (2) superheating steam, and (3) heating air. The 1D-3D model developed in our previous study was used to investigate the various aspects such as lamp-to-thermal (solar simulator was used as a light source) and exergy efficiencies. The numerical results have proven that the receiver employing both cylindrical and conical helical tubes can obtain the highest lamp-to-thermal (67.0%) and exergy efficiencies (46.9%). A parameter study was also conducted based on the chosen optimal receiver. The obtained results can become a basis for further implementation, and especially the use in high-temperature electrolysis could become crucial in a future energy system. https://lnkd.in/dCmkWrQS #CSP #solar #thermal #concentrated

For small scale ORCs (<50 kW), positive displacement type expanders such as scroll, screw, piston, etc. should be used. For medium to large scale (>50 kW up to MW) ORCs, radial and axial turbines can be used. Owing to their high speed, requirement of sophisticated bearings and lubrication systems are there. Due to which, they are not feasible for small scale applications.

Development and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Organic Rankine Cycle (𝗢𝗥𝗖) for #CSP Integration The paper details the development, manufacturing, and evaluation of a compact Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system fueled by #Concentrated #Solar Power. The initial selection of the starting point of the cycle is described, considering the operational conditions of the ORC (such as the properties of the ambient temperature and solar field) and operational limitations. The study outlines the construction of a radial turbine generating 3 kW of power and conducts numerical simulations of fluid flow within the turbine components such as the nozzle and wheel. The course includes system engineering, focusing on the computation and selection of critical components including pumps, exchangers, and sensors. The findings of the laboratory tests are presented in the second part. The experiment utilized a thermal oil boiler for heating. The results show an isentropic efficiency of around 42% and a cycle efficiency of 6% under the initial test conditions, indicating promising performance over a wide range of pressure drops. https://lnkd.in/dVH5Kvgm #solar #thermal #concentrated

🔍 Exciting New Article on Reactor Design! We’ve just published a comprehensive breakdown on Non-Isothermal and Non-Ideal Flow Reactors. Dive into the complexities of reactor design, understand energy balances, explore different reactor types like CSTR and PFR, and learn about Residence Time Distribution (RTD) with practical examples. This is a must-read for anyone in the engineering field looking to deepen their understanding of reactor dynamics and improve their design skills. 📖 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eeijph8b #Engineering #ReactorDesign #ChemicalEngineering #Innovation

Now you can access our latest publication: "Off-design performance assessment of an axial turbine for a 100 MWe concentrated solar power plant operating with CO2 mixtures." at: https://lnkd.in/ez_WBQmD In this paper, a detailed aerodynamic analysis of axial turbines operating with sCO2 mixtures is presented, contributing valuable insights to the operation of these machines at off-design conditions. Furthermore, this paper spots the light on the applicability of the available mean line loss models to sCO2-mixtures turbines characterised by the high Reynolds number and compact size compared to the state-of-the-art gas turbines.

The Seebeck effect is a fundamental principle in the field of thermoelectricity, serving as the cornerstone for developing thermoelectric generators. This effect occurs when there is a temperature difference between two dissimilar conductors or semiconductors, leading to the generation of a voltage difference across the materials. Essentially, it converts thermal energy directly into electrical energy through a process that capitalizes on the inherent properties of the materials involved. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) that harness the Seebeck effect are highly valued for their ability to generate electricity from waste heat. This capability is particularly useful in various industries and applications where excess heat is a byproduct, such as in automotive exhaust systems, industrial processes, and even space probes where the decay heat of radioactive materials can be converted into electrical power. By converting heat that would otherwise be lost to the environment, these generators contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability. Moreover, the Seebeck effect is instrumental in temperature measurement technologies, such as thermocouples. Thermocouples are simple, rugged, and can measure a wide range of temperatures, making them indispensable in many scientific, industrial, and commercial applications. By exploiting the voltage difference generated by the temperature difference at two junctions, thermocouples provide a direct and straightforward means of temperature measurement. The exploration and optimization of materials for thermoelectric applications focus on enhancing their Seebeck coefficient (a measure of the magnitude of an induced thermoelectric voltage in response to a temperature difference across that material), electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The goal is to find materials with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity to maximize the efficiency of heat-to-electricity conversion. This ongoing research holds the promise of developing more efficient thermoelectric materials, potentially leading to broader applications and more effective ways of utilizing waste heat for power generation.

NEW PUBBLICATION ONLINE! 📰 The article “High temperature Cesium-sCO2 combined cycle for concentrating solar power applications” has been published in Solar Energy journal. This work, led by PhD student Vladimir Naumov, investigates the adoption of a combined cycle composed of a sCO2 bottoming cycle and a topping cycle with Cesium as working fluid. ⚡ 🔋 It is well recognized that the temperatures achievable in a concentrated solar power (CSP) receiver are much higher than the state-of-the-art values (limited below 600°C). Next-generation #CSP plants are intended to operate at higher temperatures to improve the thermal-to-electric efficiency and to lower the levelized cost of electricity of the CSP technology. For the scope, #sCO2 is highly considered as next-generation working fluid, due to elevated thermo-chemical stability. However, at temperatures higher than 700°C there are many concerns about the interactions between sCO2 and materials, as well as for the mechanical integrity of the expander at such high temperatures and pressures (above 200/250 bar). On the other hand, multiple tests have been conducted in the past, mostly by NASA, about alkali metals operating at very-high temperatures (around 800°C), evidencing their applicability. For this reason, in this paper, the sCO2 cycle is proposed as a bottoming cycle operating at 650°C maximum, coupled with a topping alkali metal cycle. The elevated normal boiling point of the alkali metal allows for low operating pressures even at maximum cycle temperatures of 1000°C, thus reducing creep issues in the turbine. The article is part of TOPCSP project ☀ 💡 #solar #renewables #CO2

We always wonder, whether in the #wind #turbine or #hydrokinetic turbine fields, about the use of the supporting arms or the two ending plates for the vertical axis turbines. The two ending plates cause the flow to become more bi-dimensional between them, reducing the vertical drift. #Helicity is used to create a three-dimensional representation of the asymmetric #horseshoe #vortex that forms in the wake of the turbine plates. Close to the plate, the interaction between the vortices of the blades and the plate boundary layer increases instability. More information could be found in the full article in Renewable Energy Journal: 👇 https://lnkd.in/eNGmHfzi #cfd #renewableenergy #multiphase #turbomachinery #simulation ##engineering #fluiddynamics #fluidmechanics

Pinch energy-saving Technology is currently the most valued in prac-tice, it is based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics, does not perform quantitative analysis and calculations, and uses the concept of optimization, but does not require advanced mathematics for optimization technology. This chapter first introduces the process dual subsystem system model, which is divided into the heat exchange subsystem and the process operation subsystem, the heat exchange subsystem includes three parts: cooling, heat exchange, and heating. The pinch energy-saving technology plays the most important role in the heat exchange subsystem; it includes 7 sections: the concept of pinch point and its determina-tion; Pre-estimate the heat exchange network area and the optimal Delta T_min; Energy target determination; Pinch design of heat exchange network; Placement of the heat engine (pump) in the total energy system; The effect of cross heat transfer on heat exchange network area and energy; Energy saving principle of pinch technology; and in Sect. 13.7 provided the showcase of Pinch analysis examples using Aspen Energy Analyzer. #energysaving #energyefficiency #energyperformance #iso50002 #energyaudits