scholarly journals Geometric Design of Scroll Expanders Optimized for Small Organic Rankine Cycles

Author(s):  
Matthew S. Orosz ◽  
Amy V. Mueller ◽  
Bertrand J. Dechesne ◽  
Harold F. Hemond

The application of organic Rankine cycles (ORCs) for small scale power generation is inhibited by a lack of suitable expansion devices. Thermodynamic and mechanistic considerations suggest that scroll machines are advantageous in kilowatt-scale ORC equipment, however, a method of independently selecting a geometric design optimized for high-volume-ratio ORC scroll expanders is needed. The generalized 8-dimensional planar curve framework (Gravesen and Henriksen, 2001, “The Geometry of the Scroll Compressor,” Soc. Ind. Appl. Math., 43, pp. 113–126), previously developed for scroll compressors, is applied to the expansion scroll and its useful domain limits are defined. The set of workable scroll geometries is: (1) established using a generate-and-test algorithm with inclusion based on theoretical viability and engineering criteria, and (2) the corresponding parameter space is related to thermodynamically relevant metrics through an analytic ranking quantity fc (“compactness factor”) equal to the volume ratio divided by the normalized scroll diameter. This method for selecting optimal scroll geometry is described and demonstrated using a 3 kWe ORC specification as an example. Workable scroll geometry identification is achieved at a rate greater than 3 s−1 with standard desktop computing, whereas the originally undefined 8-D parameter space yields an arbitrarily low success rate for determining valid scroll mating pairs. For the test case, a maximum isentropic expansion efficiency of 85% is found by examining a subset of candidates selected the for compactness factor (volume expansion ratio per diameter), which is shown to correlate with the modeled isentropic efficiency (R2 = 0.88). The rapid computationally efficient generation and selection of complex validated scroll geometries ranked by physically meaningful properties is demonstrated. This procedure represents an essential preliminary qualification for intensive modeling and prototyping efforts necessary to generate new high performance scroll expander designs for kilowatt scale ORC systems.

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Mathias ◽  
Jon R. Johnston ◽  
Jiming Cao ◽  
Douglas K. Priedeman ◽  
Richard N. Christensen

This paper presents the experimental testing of relatively cost-effective expanders in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) to produce power from low-grade energy. Gerotor and scroll expanders were the two types of expanders tested to determine their applicability in producing power from low-grade energy. The results of the experimental testing showed that both types of expanders were good candidates to be used in an ORC. The gerotor and scroll expanders tested produced 2.07 kW and 2.96 kW, and had isentropic efficiencies of 0.85 and 0.83, respectively. Also the paper presents results of an analytical model produced that predicted improved cycle efficiency with certain changes. One change was the flow rate of the working fluid in the cycle was properly matched with the inlet pocket volume and rotational speed of the expander. Also, the volumetric expansion ratio of the expander was matched to the specific volume ratio of the working fluid (R-123) across the expander. The model incorporated the efficiencies of the expanders and pump obtained during experimental testing, and combined two expanders in series to match the specific volume ratio of the working fluid. The model determined the power produced by the expanders, and subtracted the power required by the working fluid pump and the condenser fan. From that, the model calculated the net power produced to be 6271 W and the overall energy efficiency of the cycle to be 7.7%. When the ORC was simulated to be integrated with the exhaust of a stationary engine, the exergetic efficiency, exergy destroyed, and reduction in diesel fuel while still producing the same amount of power during 2500 h of operation were 22.1%, 22,169 W, and 4,012 L (1060 U.S. gal), respectively. Consequently, the model presents a very realistic design based on results from experimental testing to cost-effectively use low-grade energy.


Author(s):  
Zhi Zhao ◽  
Zhen-Yu Xun ◽  
Liang-Liang Fan ◽  
Jiang Zhe ◽  
Liang Zhao
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahyar Pourghasemi ◽  
Nima Fathi

Abstract 3-D numerical simulations are performed to investigate liquid sodium (Na) flow and the heat transfer within miniature heat sinks with different geometries and hydraulic diameters of less than 5 mm. Two different straight small-scale heat sinks with rectangular and triangular cross-sections are studied in the laminar flow with the Reynolds number up to 1900. The local and average Nusselt numbers are obtained and compared against eachother. At the same surface area to volume ratio, rectangular minichannel heat sink leads to almost 280% higher convective heat transfer rate in comparison with triangular heat sink. It is observed that the difference between thermal efficiencies of rectangular and triangular minichannel heat sinks was independent of flow Reynolds number.


Author(s):  
Jian Song ◽  
Chun-wei Gu

Energy shortage and environmental deterioration are two crucial issues that the developing world has to face. In order to solve these problems, conversion of low grade energy is attracting broad attention. Among all of the existing technologies, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) has been proven to be one of the most effective methods for the utilization of low grade heat sources. Turbine is a key component in ORC system and it plays an important role in system performance. Traditional turbine expanders, the axial flow turbine and the radial inflow turbine are typically selected in large scale ORC systems. However, in small and micro scale systems, traditional turbine expanders are not suitable due to large flow loss and high rotation speed. In this case, Tesla turbine allows a low-cost and reliable design for the organic expander that could be an attractive option for small scale ORC systems. A 1-D model of Tesla turbine is presented in this paper, which mainly focuses on the flow characteristics and the momentum transfer. This study improves the 1-D model, taking the nozzle limit expansion ratio into consideration, which is related to the installation angle of the nozzle and the specific heat ratio of the working fluid. The improved model is used to analyze Tesla turbine performance and predict turbine efficiency. Thermodynamic analysis is conducted for a small scale ORC system. The simulation results reveal that the ORC system can generate a considerable net power output. Therefore, Tesla turbine can be regarded as a potential choice to be applied in small scale ORC systems.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Manjón-Cabeza Córdoba ◽  
Maxim Ballmer

Abstract. The origin of intraplate volcanism is not explained by the plate tectonic theory, and several models have been put forward for explanation. One of these models involves Edge-Driven Convection (EDC), in which cold and thick continental lithosphere is juxtaposed to warm and thin oceanic lithosphere to trigger convective instability. To test whether EDC can produce long-lived high-volume magmatism, we run numerical models of EDC for a wide range of mantle properties and edge (i.e., the oceanic-continental transition) geometries. We find that the most important parameters that govern EDC are the rheological paramaters mantle viscosity η0 and activation energy Ea. However, even the maximum melting volumes found in our models are insufficient to account for island-building volcanism on old seafloor, such as at the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Also, beneath old seafloor, localized EDC-related melting commonly transitions into widespread melting due to small-scale sublithospheric convection, inconsistent with the distribution of volcanism at these volcanic chains. In turn, EDC is a good candidate to sustain the formation of small seamounts on young seafloor, as it is a highly transient phenomenon that occurs in all our models soon after initiation. In a companion paper, we investigate the implications of interaction of EDC with mantle-plume activity.


Solid Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-632
Author(s):  
Antonio Manjón-Cabeza Córdoba ◽  
Maxim D. Ballmer

Abstract. The origin of intraplate volcanism is not explained by plate tectonic theory, and several models have been put forward for explanation. One of these models involves edge-driven convection (EDC), in which cold and thick continental lithosphere is juxtaposed with warm and thin oceanic lithosphere to trigger convective instability. To test whether EDC can produce long-lived high-volume magmatism, we run numerical models of EDC for a wide range of mantle properties and edge (i.e., the oceanic–continental transition) geometries. We find that the most important parameters that govern EDC are the rheological parameters mantle viscosity η0 and activation energy Ea. However, even the maximum melting volumes predicted by our most extreme cases are insufficient to account for island-building volcanism on old seafloor, such as at the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde. Also, beneath old seafloor, localized EDC-related melting commonly transitions into widespread melting due to small-scale sublithospheric convection, inconsistent with the distribution of volcanism at these volcano chains. In turn, EDC is a good candidate to sustain the formation of small seamounts on young seafloor, as it is a highly transient phenomenon that occurs in all our models soon after initiation. In a companion paper, we investigate the implications of interaction of EDC with mantle plume activity (Manjón-Cabeza Córdoba and Ballmer, 2021).


Energy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 1062-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Marchionni ◽  
Giuseppe Bianchi ◽  
Apostolos Karvountzis-Kontakiotis ◽  
Apostolos Pesyridis ◽  
Savvas A. Tassou

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Unglaube ◽  
Hsiao-Wei D. Chiang

Abstract In recent years, supercritical CO2 (sCO2) Brayton cycles have drawn the attention of researchers due to their high cycle efficiencies, compact turbomachinery, and environmental friendliness. For small-scale cycles, radial inflow turbines (RIT) are the prevailing choice and one of the key components. A mean line design procedure for sCO2 RIT is developed and design space exploration conducted for a 100 kW-class turbine for a low-temperature waste-heat utilization sCO2 Brayton cycle. By varying the two design parameters, specific speed and velocity ratio, different turbine configurations are setup and compared numerically by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Results are analyzed to conclude on optimum design parameters with regard to turbine efficiency and expansion ratio. Specific speeds between 0.2 and 0.5 are recommended for sCO2 RIT with small though flow (3 kg/s). The higher the velocity ratio, the bigger the turbine expansion ratio. Pairs of optimum design parameters that effectuate maximum efficiency are identified, with smaller velocity ratios prevailing for smaller specific speeds. The turbine simulation results for sCO2 are compared to well-established recommendations for the design of RIT from literature, such as the Balje diagram. It is concluded that for the design of sCO2 RITs, the same principles can be used as for those for air turbines. By achieving total-to-static stage and rotor efficiencies of 84% and 86%, respectively, the developed mean line design procedure has proven to be an effective and easily applicable tool for the preliminary design of small-scale sCO2 RIT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 361-367
Author(s):  
Mehran Nasiri

In this study a new method of locating culverts is presented with the composition of achieved discharge from hydrological analysis and simulated forest roads in RoadEng 3D simulator to improve drainage condition. Locating culverts was performed on a small scale (1:20 000, using GIS) and large scale (1:2 000, road geometric design simulator). The small-scale study regarding the achieved discharge from streams shows that the installation of some culverts is not necessary. The large-scale study also showed that the geometric design of forest road has a significant effect on locating culverts and its accuracy. To improve drainage conditions 6 culverts and 2 waterfronts taking into account the geometric design of forest road, hydrological conditions and appropriate intervals (155 m) have been proposed. No installation or lack of accuracy to find the best location of culverts may result in the occurrence of creep and landslide, so the cost of destruction would be several times higher than the cost of technical buildings construction.


Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 208 ◽  
pp. 118321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antti Uusitalo ◽  
Teemu Turunen-Saaresti ◽  
Juha Honkatukia ◽  
Radheesh Dhanasegaran

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