Despite the potential for limitless clean energy, nuclear fusion is seldom discussed in conjunction with other alternative energy sources. Nonetheless, there is a small but strong amateur community dedicated to the research of nuclear fusion. If grown, this community may help facilitate more conversation, interest, and eventual research into nuclear fusion. An often-large barrier in independent fusion research is detection and quantification of reactions. This research outlines the common methods currently used for fusion detection in inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) reactors and suggests an experiment to explore indirect methods of detection using Matlab code written for light emission analysis. Current indirect, or theoretical, methods of determining reaction rate are unreliable, as they do not consider all construction variables of the reactor. By measuring characteristics of the plasma to determine reaction rate, a more accurate indirect measurement method may be developed, allowing for a larger number of individuals to participate in nuclear fusion research.
{"title":"Nuclear Fusion Detection Methods for Use With IEC Machines","authors":"Sam Pasmann, J. Farina, H. Dillon","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-10221","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-10221","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Despite the potential for limitless clean energy, nuclear fusion is seldom discussed in conjunction with other alternative energy sources. Nonetheless, there is a small but strong amateur community dedicated to the research of nuclear fusion. If grown, this community may help facilitate more conversation, interest, and eventual research into nuclear fusion.\u0000 An often-large barrier in independent fusion research is detection and quantification of reactions. This research outlines the common methods currently used for fusion detection in inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) reactors and suggests an experiment to explore indirect methods of detection using Matlab code written for light emission analysis. Current indirect, or theoretical, methods of determining reaction rate are unreliable, as they do not consider all construction variables of the reactor. By measuring characteristics of the plasma to determine reaction rate, a more accurate indirect measurement method may be developed, allowing for a larger number of individuals to participate in nuclear fusion research.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81237087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper describes the experimental characterization of a laboratory scale single-cell vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) with variations of operational parameters. The single cell was experimentally investigated with respect to energy storage capacity, charge-discharge time, voltage, coulombic and energy efficiencies under various operating parameters such as current densities, electrolyte flow rates, and the ratio of electrolyte volume in electrolyte storage tank and cell. It was found that the voltage efficiency was increased by 11% entailing energy efficiency improvement from 60 to 66% as the electrolyte flowrate was increased from 40 to 220 ml/min. The highest columbic efficiency was achieved at 96% for the current density of 40 mA/cm2 which was 14% higher than that of the current density of 15 mA/cm2. Energy storage capacity was linearly increased with higher ratio of tank to cell volume due to the larger number of vanadium ions present. The improvement in energy storage capacities was observed to be 60, and 41% as the ratio was raised by 67, and 40%, respectively.
{"title":"Experimental Study on Effects of Operational Parameters on a Single-Cell Test-Bed Vanadium Redox Flow Battery","authors":"R. Islam, K. Jeong","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-10998","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-10998","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 This paper describes the experimental characterization of a laboratory scale single-cell vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) with variations of operational parameters. The single cell was experimentally investigated with respect to energy storage capacity, charge-discharge time, voltage, coulombic and energy efficiencies under various operating parameters such as current densities, electrolyte flow rates, and the ratio of electrolyte volume in electrolyte storage tank and cell. It was found that the voltage efficiency was increased by 11% entailing energy efficiency improvement from 60 to 66% as the electrolyte flowrate was increased from 40 to 220 ml/min. The highest columbic efficiency was achieved at 96% for the current density of 40 mA/cm2 which was 14% higher than that of the current density of 15 mA/cm2. Energy storage capacity was linearly increased with higher ratio of tank to cell volume due to the larger number of vanadium ions present. The improvement in energy storage capacities was observed to be 60, and 41% as the ratio was raised by 67, and 40%, respectively.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"112 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82467031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gurjap Singh, Nicholas Hentges, Damion Johnson, A. Ratner
Biodiesel has proved to be an attractive alternative fuel for the compression-ignition engine, with its blends of regular petrodiesel being sold at virtually every gas station in the United States. Researchers have explored many of its combustion properties and sought to modify them in the interest of better fuel economy, specific fuel combustion, and lower emissions. The emulsification of biodiesel with water in order to promote microexplosions during the combustion process is one such fuel modification method. Microexplosions fragment the fuel droplet into many smaller droplets, which promote homogeneous combustion, and can result in smoother power output and better fuel economy. Present research analyzes the droplet combustion properties of soy biodiesel with 10% water and 0.1% POLYOX™ polymer. A sub-millimeter droplet is suspended on three 16μm silicon carbide wires and ignited using hot wire loops. The combustion process is recorded at 1000 frames/second by a high-speed CCD camera. Combustion behavior of the emulsified fuel is then analyzed by post-processing the resulting high-speed images. Results show several microexplosion events. Combustion trends are plotted, and combustion rates are determined. Burning rate for the emulsion was found to be very close to that of base fuel, with 2.1% decrease noted. It is hoped that present research will spark further interest in the fuel behavior modification of biodiesel.
{"title":"Experimental Investigation of Combustion Behavior of Biodiesel-Water Emulsion","authors":"Gurjap Singh, Nicholas Hentges, Damion Johnson, A. Ratner","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-10917","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-10917","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Biodiesel has proved to be an attractive alternative fuel for the compression-ignition engine, with its blends of regular petrodiesel being sold at virtually every gas station in the United States. Researchers have explored many of its combustion properties and sought to modify them in the interest of better fuel economy, specific fuel combustion, and lower emissions. The emulsification of biodiesel with water in order to promote microexplosions during the combustion process is one such fuel modification method. Microexplosions fragment the fuel droplet into many smaller droplets, which promote homogeneous combustion, and can result in smoother power output and better fuel economy. Present research analyzes the droplet combustion properties of soy biodiesel with 10% water and 0.1% POLYOX™ polymer. A sub-millimeter droplet is suspended on three 16μm silicon carbide wires and ignited using hot wire loops. The combustion process is recorded at 1000 frames/second by a high-speed CCD camera. Combustion behavior of the emulsified fuel is then analyzed by post-processing the resulting high-speed images. Results show several microexplosion events. Combustion trends are plotted, and combustion rates are determined. Burning rate for the emulsion was found to be very close to that of base fuel, with 2.1% decrease noted. It is hoped that present research will spark further interest in the fuel behavior modification of biodiesel.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86777000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mamdouh Eldaly, Ashish Pokharel, Michael Petralia, Runar Unnthorsson, R. Dell
A small-scale thermoelectric generator (TEG) system produces a power of 1.43 W at a temperature differential between the thermoelectric module (TEM) surfaces of 70.00°C. This can cold-start a GSM locator and broadcast coordinates using an SMS message. Ultra-low power off-the-shelf electronics are combined to produce a reliable cellular signal and generate the coordinates, eliminating the need for dedicated GPS modules and reducing the total power consumption. A supercapacitor-based charging system was designed to store charge from the TEMs and discharge a constant 5.2 V to power the electronics. The system requires approximately 60 seconds from a cold start to send geographic coordinates. Designs for several cold blocks, used to generate the temperature differential for the TEMs, were investigated, including designs utilizing phase-change material (PCM) and water.
{"title":"Thermoelectric Generator-Based System for Energizing Low-Power Communication and Geolocation Electronics","authors":"Mamdouh Eldaly, Ashish Pokharel, Michael Petralia, Runar Unnthorsson, R. Dell","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-12254","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-12254","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 A small-scale thermoelectric generator (TEG) system produces a power of 1.43 W at a temperature differential between the thermoelectric module (TEM) surfaces of 70.00°C. This can cold-start a GSM locator and broadcast coordinates using an SMS message. Ultra-low power off-the-shelf electronics are combined to produce a reliable cellular signal and generate the coordinates, eliminating the need for dedicated GPS modules and reducing the total power consumption. A supercapacitor-based charging system was designed to store charge from the TEMs and discharge a constant 5.2 V to power the electronics. The system requires approximately 60 seconds from a cold start to send geographic coordinates. Designs for several cold blocks, used to generate the temperature differential for the TEMs, were investigated, including designs utilizing phase-change material (PCM) and water.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90232487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wu Bin, Y. Shuo, Liu Xiucheng, Wang Heying, Xiao Ting, He Cunfu
In this study, a simple and high-performance piezoelectric energy harvesting devices (PEHD) based on composite granular chain of spheres (CGCS) is investigated. The CGCS is constructed by inserting a light granular chain into the middle of a heavy granular chain. When an impact imposed to the CGCS, the energy of the impact will be carried by solitary wave propagating in the chain. The existence of the heavy-light interface and light-heavy interface makes the middle section of chain a container to trap the energy of the solitary wave. Therefore, the solitary wave will reflect back and forth in the container and experience slow energy attenuation. Piezoelectric wafer is embedded into one of the spheres of the container to act as a PEHD. Theoretical model of the proposed PEHD is given to explain the energy conversion process from external impact to the output voltage of the piezoelectric wafer. The bridge between the solitary wave-induced stress and the electric field is highlighted. Experiments are performed in CGCS to observe the solitary wave-induced voltage of the piezoelectric wafer and the measured waveform agree the theoretically prediction results. Finally, the effects of the differences in material properties of between the light and heavy spheres and the segment number of composite chain on the collected energy are investigated for improving the efficiency of capture energy. It is suggested that increasing the numbers of composite segments and enlarging the differences between the light and heavy sphere is helpful to improve the performance of CGCS-based PEHD.
{"title":"Theoretical Model for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Device Based on Composite Granular Chain of Spheres","authors":"Wu Bin, Y. Shuo, Liu Xiucheng, Wang Heying, Xiao Ting, He Cunfu","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-10824","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-10824","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 In this study, a simple and high-performance piezoelectric energy harvesting devices (PEHD) based on composite granular chain of spheres (CGCS) is investigated. The CGCS is constructed by inserting a light granular chain into the middle of a heavy granular chain. When an impact imposed to the CGCS, the energy of the impact will be carried by solitary wave propagating in the chain. The existence of the heavy-light interface and light-heavy interface makes the middle section of chain a container to trap the energy of the solitary wave. Therefore, the solitary wave will reflect back and forth in the container and experience slow energy attenuation. Piezoelectric wafer is embedded into one of the spheres of the container to act as a PEHD.\u0000 Theoretical model of the proposed PEHD is given to explain the energy conversion process from external impact to the output voltage of the piezoelectric wafer. The bridge between the solitary wave-induced stress and the electric field is highlighted. Experiments are performed in CGCS to observe the solitary wave-induced voltage of the piezoelectric wafer and the measured waveform agree the theoretically prediction results. Finally, the effects of the differences in material properties of between the light and heavy spheres and the segment number of composite chain on the collected energy are investigated for improving the efficiency of capture energy. It is suggested that increasing the numbers of composite segments and enlarging the differences between the light and heavy sphere is helpful to improve the performance of CGCS-based PEHD.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"274 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83514616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The aim of this paper is to describe and thermodynamically model cryogenic Stirling refrigerators, using Helium in its different forms as the working medium. Helium has unique properties at cryogenic temperatures forming a superfluid. The cryogenic Stirling refrigerators with Helium at such low temperatures make use of the properties of this superfluid nature of Helium, thus they are referred to as Superfluid Stirling Refrigerators (SSR). To make use of these remarkable properties of superfluid helium a different version of Stirling refrigerator is used where superleaks are introduced in the pistons in order to let the superfluid part flow freely but constrain the normal fluid. This cooling procedure has an upper temperature limit as it is based on the superfluidity of helium, hence all the workings of this cycle must be well below the Lambda line. In addition, different models are needed and are used for the different isotopes of helium as their atomic spin nature is different and therefore their behavior at temperatures near absolute zero. In this study of SSR cryocoolers great care is being given towards the thermodynamic behavior of the entire system and working media, as well as different designs of the apparatus.
{"title":"Thermodynamic Modelling of Superfluid Stirling Cryocoolers","authors":"George-Rafael Domenikos, P. Bitsikas, E. Rogdakis","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-10077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-10077","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The aim of this paper is to describe and thermodynamically model cryogenic Stirling refrigerators, using Helium in its different forms as the working medium. Helium has unique properties at cryogenic temperatures forming a superfluid. The cryogenic Stirling refrigerators with Helium at such low temperatures make use of the properties of this superfluid nature of Helium, thus they are referred to as Superfluid Stirling Refrigerators (SSR). To make use of these remarkable properties of superfluid helium a different version of Stirling refrigerator is used where superleaks are introduced in the pistons in order to let the superfluid part flow freely but constrain the normal fluid. This cooling procedure has an upper temperature limit as it is based on the superfluidity of helium, hence all the workings of this cycle must be well below the Lambda line. In addition, different models are needed and are used for the different isotopes of helium as their atomic spin nature is different and therefore their behavior at temperatures near absolute zero. In this study of SSR cryocoolers great care is being given towards the thermodynamic behavior of the entire system and working media, as well as different designs of the apparatus.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74963397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
External heat supply to solar ponds from various types of solar collectors is a feasible alternative that significantly enhances its performance. In this work, various design parameters in a hybrid solar pond with external heat addition from Evacuated Tube Solar Collector (ETSC) are evaluated using an inverse approach. A forward model based on heat balance equations is solved for various zones of the solar pond to predict temperatures attained by its storage zone under a given climatic condition. Bryant and Colbeck’s relation is used to account for the diminution of the solar radiation as it travels from upper layers of the solar pond to its bottom layers. The relevant differential equations are solved using a Runge-Kutta fourth order scheme. The component of heat addition from ETSC is added to the forward model in the storage zone’s equation. Heat added from ETSC is considered proportional to the fraction of the aperture area to the pond’s base area, the thermal efficiency of ETSC and global solar radiation incident on ETSC. Both the forward model of the solar pond and combined solar pond and ETSC model were validated with previous experimental and numerical studies available in the literature for El Paso, USA, and Melbourne, Australia. An inverse model based on genetic algorithm is proposed for evaluating the set of geometrical parameters of ETSC and solar pond in order to derive a required performance from the combined solar pond-ETSC system.
{"title":"Inverse Optimization of Design Parameters in a Hybrid Solar Pond System With External Heat Addition","authors":"Abhishek Kumar, R. Das","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-11117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-11117","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 External heat supply to solar ponds from various types of solar collectors is a feasible alternative that significantly enhances its performance. In this work, various design parameters in a hybrid solar pond with external heat addition from Evacuated Tube Solar Collector (ETSC) are evaluated using an inverse approach. A forward model based on heat balance equations is solved for various zones of the solar pond to predict temperatures attained by its storage zone under a given climatic condition. Bryant and Colbeck’s relation is used to account for the diminution of the solar radiation as it travels from upper layers of the solar pond to its bottom layers. The relevant differential equations are solved using a Runge-Kutta fourth order scheme. The component of heat addition from ETSC is added to the forward model in the storage zone’s equation. Heat added from ETSC is considered proportional to the fraction of the aperture area to the pond’s base area, the thermal efficiency of ETSC and global solar radiation incident on ETSC. Both the forward model of the solar pond and combined solar pond and ETSC model were validated with previous experimental and numerical studies available in the literature for El Paso, USA, and Melbourne, Australia. An inverse model based on genetic algorithm is proposed for evaluating the set of geometrical parameters of ETSC and solar pond in order to derive a required performance from the combined solar pond-ETSC system.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73223685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of impregnation of porous material with the PCM on the thermal performance of a shell and tube latent heat thermal energy storage system. The heat transfer fluid flows in the tube while the phase change material is stored in the shell. A transient numerical model was developed to simulate the charging process of the system. The effects of porous material filling ratio, and its properties such as porosity and permeability, were studied on the performance of the system. The results showed that the porosity of the material or the metal foam has the greatest effect on the heat transfer and charging time of the system specifically for a filling ratio of one, or when the entire annular gap between the inner and outer tube is filled with the metal foam. As the filling ratio decreases, the effect of the porosity decreases; however, there is no linear relationship between the filling ratio and the decrease in the melting time as the porosity changes.
{"title":"Numerical Analysis of Charging Process of a Shell and Tube Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System With PCM Embedded in Highly Conductive Porous Material","authors":"M. Mahdavi, S. Tiari, C. Sawyer","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-11414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-11414","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of impregnation of porous material with the PCM on the thermal performance of a shell and tube latent heat thermal energy storage system. The heat transfer fluid flows in the tube while the phase change material is stored in the shell. A transient numerical model was developed to simulate the charging process of the system. The effects of porous material filling ratio, and its properties such as porosity and permeability, were studied on the performance of the system. The results showed that the porosity of the material or the metal foam has the greatest effect on the heat transfer and charging time of the system specifically for a filling ratio of one, or when the entire annular gap between the inner and outer tube is filled with the metal foam. As the filling ratio decreases, the effect of the porosity decreases; however, there is no linear relationship between the filling ratio and the decrease in the melting time as the porosity changes.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"95 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82108302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
An energy and economic analysis of a novel hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TEC) system for building cooling applications is presented. It is considered that the roof is constructed from building integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV) and thermoelectric (TEC) cooling modules are installed on top of the ceiling. The TEC modules are supplied by the PV panels, reducing the ceiling temperature and therefore maintaining a comfortable temperature for the occupants. A mathematical model is developed in MATLAB to simulate the performance of the hybrid PV-TEC system. A building energy model is also developed in eQuest to simulate the performance of a case study office building in Melbourne, FL. The hourly cooling demands are evaluated from the building model, and the PV-TEC system is sized to satisfy the cooling loads accordingly. The total annual energy consumption of the PV-TEC system is then calculated for various operating conditions according to the given characteristics for the selected TEC module and the required number of PV panels to supply the thermoelectric system with adequate electricity is evaluated. The cost of the system and associated savings are determined and discussed in detail. The results show that the proposed system is capable of maintaining the set point temperature for occupants’ comfort. The initial estimated cost of the hybrid PV-TEC system is found significantly higher than conventional air conditioning systems. However, the attractive features of the proposed system including high controllability and maintenance free operation as well as no need to refrigerant or major moving part are some of the aspects that are promising for building cooling applications.
{"title":"Energy and Economic Analysis of a Novel Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric System for Building Cooling Applications","authors":"M. Seyednezhad, H. Najafi","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-11644","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-11644","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 An energy and economic analysis of a novel hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TEC) system for building cooling applications is presented. It is considered that the roof is constructed from building integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV) and thermoelectric (TEC) cooling modules are installed on top of the ceiling. The TEC modules are supplied by the PV panels, reducing the ceiling temperature and therefore maintaining a comfortable temperature for the occupants. A mathematical model is developed in MATLAB to simulate the performance of the hybrid PV-TEC system. A building energy model is also developed in eQuest to simulate the performance of a case study office building in Melbourne, FL. The hourly cooling demands are evaluated from the building model, and the PV-TEC system is sized to satisfy the cooling loads accordingly. The total annual energy consumption of the PV-TEC system is then calculated for various operating conditions according to the given characteristics for the selected TEC module and the required number of PV panels to supply the thermoelectric system with adequate electricity is evaluated. The cost of the system and associated savings are determined and discussed in detail. The results show that the proposed system is capable of maintaining the set point temperature for occupants’ comfort. The initial estimated cost of the hybrid PV-TEC system is found significantly higher than conventional air conditioning systems. However, the attractive features of the proposed system including high controllability and maintenance free operation as well as no need to refrigerant or major moving part are some of the aspects that are promising for building cooling applications.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83279784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eric Coday, J. Parker, Randall Johnson, Shawn Duan
Thermoelectric generator technology can be utilized as a renewable energy source and has untapped potential. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have been used by industry experts to make some thermodynamic processes slightly more efficient. However, TEGs can be operated in a manner that allows for greater energy production at a higher efficiency and in a stand-alone setting. This paper presents design and analysis of an innovative portable water-cooled thermoelectric generator apparatus. The apparatus can create clean energy using optimal heat transfer through the device. To reduce the amount of power lost to internal heat resistance, the device is cooled by a large body of water. Solar irradiation is the primary heat source for the TEGs and is absorbed using copper foil and high emissive paint. The temperature differential predicted during device operation was modeled using ANSYS. The ANSYS heat transfer model revealed that heat absorption and subsequent transfer to a body of water was possible without exceeding the operating parameters of the TEGs. Experimental results revealed that a 120°C temperature difference across the TEGs produced 12.5 V of electricity. Analysis of the water-cooled TEG prototype performance revealed that power production is possible, and the design has numerous applications.
{"title":"Design and Analysis of an Innovative Portable Water-Cooled Thermoelectric Generator Apparatus","authors":"Eric Coday, J. Parker, Randall Johnson, Shawn Duan","doi":"10.1115/imece2019-10804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2019-10804","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Thermoelectric generator technology can be utilized as a renewable energy source and has untapped potential. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have been used by industry experts to make some thermodynamic processes slightly more efficient. However, TEGs can be operated in a manner that allows for greater energy production at a higher efficiency and in a stand-alone setting. This paper presents design and analysis of an innovative portable water-cooled thermoelectric generator apparatus. The apparatus can create clean energy using optimal heat transfer through the device. To reduce the amount of power lost to internal heat resistance, the device is cooled by a large body of water. Solar irradiation is the primary heat source for the TEGs and is absorbed using copper foil and high emissive paint. The temperature differential predicted during device operation was modeled using ANSYS. The ANSYS heat transfer model revealed that heat absorption and subsequent transfer to a body of water was possible without exceeding the operating parameters of the TEGs. Experimental results revealed that a 120°C temperature difference across the TEGs produced 12.5 V of electricity. Analysis of the water-cooled TEG prototype performance revealed that power production is possible, and the design has numerous applications.","PeriodicalId":23629,"journal":{"name":"Volume 6: Energy","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81518365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：