Solar Thermochemical Water-Splitting Ferrite-Cycle Heat Engines

Solar Energy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Diver ◽  
James E. Miller ◽  
Mark D. Allendorf ◽  
Nathan P. Siegel ◽  
Roy E. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Iron Oxide ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Thermochemical Cycles ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Solar Thermochemical ◽  
Development Approach

Thermochemical cycles are a type of heat engine that utilize high-temperature heat to produce chemical work. Like their mechanical work-producing counterparts, their efficiency depends on operating temperature and on the irreversibilities of their internal processes. With this in mind, we have invented innovative design concepts for two-step solar-driven thermochemical heat engines based on iron oxide and iron oxide mixed with other metal oxides (ferrites). These concepts utilize two sets of moving beds of ferrite reactant material in close proximity and moving in opposite directions to overcome a major impediment to achieving high efficiency – thermal recuperation between solids in efficient counter-current arrangements. They also provide inherent separation of the product hydrogen and oxygen and are an excellent match with high-concentration solar flux. However, they also impose unique requirements on the ferrite reactants and materials of construction as well as an understanding of the chemical and cycle thermodynamics. In this paper, the Counter-Rotating-Ring Receiver/Reactor/Recuperator (CR5) solar thermochemical heat engine concept is introduced and its basic operating principals are described. Preliminary thermal efficiency estimates are presented and discussed. Our results and development approach are also outlined.

scholarly journals Solar Thermochemical Water-Splitting Ferrite-Cycle Heat Engines

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Diver ◽  
James E. Miller ◽  
Mark D. Allendorf ◽  
Nathan P. Siegel ◽  
Roy E. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Iron Oxide ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Thermochemical Cycles ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Solar Thermochemical ◽  
Development Approach

Thermochemical cycles are a type of heat engine that utilize high-temperature heat to produce chemical work. Like their mechanical work producing counterparts, their efficiency depends on the operating temperature and on the irreversibility of their internal processes. With this in mind, we have invented innovative design concepts for two-step solar-driven thermochemical heat engines based on iron oxide and iron oxide mixed with other metal oxide (ferrites) working materials. The design concepts utilize two sets of moving beds of ferrite reactant materials in close proximity and moving in opposite directions to overcome a major impediment to achieving high efficiency—thermal recuperation between solids in efficient countercurrent arrangements. They also provide an inherent separation of the product hydrogen and oxygen and are an excellent match with a high-concentration solar flux. However, they also impose unique requirements on the ferrite reactants and materials of construction as well as an understanding of the chemical and cycle thermodynamics. In this paper, the counter-rotating-ring receiver∕reactor∕recuperator solar thermochemical heat engine concept is introduced, and its basic operating principles are described. Preliminary thermal efficiency estimates are presented and discussed. Our results and development approach are also outlined.

Production mechanism analysis of H 2 and CO via solar thermochemical cycles based on iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) at high temperature

Solar Energy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bachirou Guene Lougou ◽  
Jiarong Hong ◽  
Yong Shuai ◽  
Xing Huang ◽  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Iron Oxide ◽  
Mechanism Analysis ◽  
Production Mechanism ◽  
Thermochemical Cycles ◽  
Solar Thermochemical

scholarly journals Near quantitative synthesis of urea macrocycles enabled by bulky N-substituent

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingfeng Yang ◽  
Hanze Ying ◽  
Zhixia Li ◽  
Jiang Wang ◽  
Yingying Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Kinetic Control ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Weak Association ◽  
Quantitative Synthesis ◽  
Thermodynamic Stabilization ◽  
Discrete Structures ◽  
Very High

AbstractMacrocycles are unique molecular structures extensively used in the design of catalysts, therapeutics and supramolecular assemblies. Among all reactions reported to date, systems that can produce macrocycles in high yield under high reaction concentrations are rare. Here we report the use of dynamic hindered urea bond (HUB) for the construction of urea macrocycles with very high efficiency. Mixing of equal molar diisocyanate and hindered diamine leads to formation of macrocycles with discrete structures in nearly quantitative yields under high concentration of reactants. The bulky N-tert-butyl plays key roles to facilitate the formation of macrocycles, providing not only the kinetic control due to the formation of the cyclization-promoting cis C = O/tert-butyl conformation, but also possibly the thermodynamic stabilization of macrocycles with weak association interactions. The bulky N-tert-butyl can be readily removed by acid to eliminate the dynamicity of HUB and stabilize the macrocycle structures.

scholarly journals Modeling and Performance Optimization of an Irreversible Two-Stage Combined Thermal Brownian Heat Engine

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Congzheng Qi ◽  
Zemin Ding ◽  
Lingen Chen ◽  
Yanlin Ge ◽  
Huijun Feng
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
External Load ◽  
Thermal Contact ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Load Effect ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Heat Leakage ◽  
Steady Current

Based on finite time thermodynamics, an irreversible combined thermal Brownian heat engine model is established in this paper. The model consists of two thermal Brownian heat engines which are operating in tandem with thermal contact with three heat reservoirs. The rates of heat transfer are finite between the heat engine and the reservoir. Considering the heat leakage and the losses caused by kinetic energy change of particles, the formulas of steady current, power output and efficiency are derived. The power output and efficiency of combined heat engine are smaller than that of single heat engine operating between reservoirs with same temperatures. When the potential filed is free from external load, the effects of asymmetry of the potential, barrier height and heat leakage on the performance of the combined heat engine are analyzed. When the potential field is free from external load, the effects of basic design parameters on the performance of the combined heat engine are analyzed. The optimal power and efficiency are obtained by optimizing the barrier heights of two heat engines. The optimal working regions are obtained. There is optimal temperature ratio which maximize the overall power output or efficiency. When the potential filed is subjected to external load, effect of external load is analyzed. The steady current decreases versus external load; the power output and efficiency are monotonically increasing versus external load.

scholarly journals Learning the best nanoscale heat engines through evolving network topology

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuto Ashida ◽  
Takahiro Sagawa
Keyword(s):  
Network Topology ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Single Electron ◽  
Thermodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Thermal Systems ◽  
Nanoscale Systems ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Many Body Interactions

AbstractThe quest to identify the best heat engine has been at the center of science and technology. Considerable studies have so far revealed the potentials of nanoscale thermal machines to yield an enhanced thermodynamic efficiency in noninteracting regimes. However, the full benefit of many-body interactions is yet to be investigated; identifying the optimal interaction is a hard problem due to combinatorial explosion of the search space, which makes brute-force searches infeasible. We tackle this problem with developing a framework for reinforcement learning of network topology in interacting thermal systems. We find that the maximum possible values of the figure of merit and the power factor can be significantly enhanced by electron-electron interactions under nondegenerate single-electron levels with which, in the absence of interactions, the thermoelectric performance is quite low in general. This allows for an alternative strategy to design the best heat engines by optimizing interactions instead of single-electron levels. The versatility of the developed framework allows one to identify full potential of a broad range of nanoscale systems in terms of multiple objectives.

Smart DRA for beam width and orientation control

Frequenz ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 383-392
Author(s):  
Rajveer S. Yaduvanshi ◽  
Richa Gupta ◽  
Saurabh Katiyar
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Pattern ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Beam Width ◽  
Beam Control ◽  
Design Flexibility ◽  
Compact Size ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Cellular Communication Network ◽  
Arc Shape ◽  
Broadside Radiation

AbstractSmartdielectric resonator antenna (DRA) having beam control mechanism is anew area to be explored by antenna researchers. Proposed new geometry DRA has low loss, design flexibility, high efficiency, compact size and desired radiated beam control. Developing beam control in new geometry DRAs is investigated for the first time in this letter. Unique technique for beam control and beam width control is proposed using pit top and mount top DRA. Gain is controlled from 5.0 to 9.98 dBi and beam is controlled from ±30° to ±70° in broadside radiation pattern. U shape pit DRA has maximum directive gain of 9.98 dBi and efficiency 98% at 5.8 GHz frequency. Measured and simulated results of radiation pattern and reflection coefficient are found to be in close proximity. Hardware of U shape pit top DRA, mount top DRA, left side arc top DRA, right side arc shape top DRA is developed and investigated. Mobile and cellular communication network need wide coverage, hence large beam width is required. Narrowing of beam width at higher order mode is also achieved.

scholarly journals Action and Entropy in Heat Engines: An Action Revision of the Carnot Cycle

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Ivan R. Kennedy ◽  
Migdat Hodzic
Keyword(s):  
Heat Engine ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Field Energy ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
Gibbs Potential ◽  
Atmospheric Gases ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Expansion Phase ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
The Difference

Despite the remarkable success of Carnot’s heat engine cycle in founding the discipline of thermodynamics two centuries ago, false viewpoints of his use of the caloric theory in the cycle linger, limiting his legacy. An action revision of the Carnot cycle can correct this, showing that the heat flow powering external mechanical work is compensated internally with configurational changes in the thermodynamic or Gibbs potential of the working fluid, differing in each stage of the cycle quantified by Carnot as caloric. Action (@) is a property of state having the same physical dimensions as angular momentum (mrv = mr2ω). However, this property is scalar rather than vectorial, including a dimensionless phase angle (@ = mr2ωδφ). We have recently confirmed with atmospheric gases that their entropy is a logarithmic function of the relative vibrational, rotational, and translational action ratios with Planck’s quantum of action ħ. The Carnot principle shows that the maximum rate of work (puissance motrice) possible from the reversible cycle is controlled by the difference in temperature of the hot source and the cold sink: the colder the better. This temperature difference between the source and the sink also controls the isothermal variations of the Gibbs potential of the working fluid, which Carnot identified as reversible temperature-dependent but unequal caloric exchanges. Importantly, the engine’s inertia ensures that heat from work performed adiabatically in the expansion phase is all restored to the working fluid during the adiabatic recompression, less the net work performed. This allows both the energy and the thermodynamic potential to return to the same values at the beginning of each cycle, which is a point strongly emphasized by Carnot. Our action revision equates Carnot’s calorique, or the non-sensible heat later described by Clausius as ‘work-heat’, exclusively to negative Gibbs energy (−G) or quantum field energy. This action field complements the sensible energy or vis-viva heat as molecular kinetic motion, and its recognition should have significance for designing more efficient heat engines or better understanding of the heat engine powering the Earth’s climates.

Solar Thermophotovoltaic Converters Based on Tungsten Emitters

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Andreev ◽  
A. S. Vlasov ◽  
V. P. Khvostikov ◽  
O. A. Khvostikova ◽  
P. Y. Gazaryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Band Gap ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Radiation Spectrum ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fresnel Lens ◽  
Photocurrent Density ◽  
Back Side ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Emitter System ◽  
Solar Powered

Results of a solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system study are reported. Modeling of the STPV module performance and the analysis of various parameters influencing the system are presented. The ways for the STPV system efficiency to increase and their magnitude are considered such as: improvement of the emitter radiation selectivity and application of selective filters for better matching the emitter radiation spectrum and cell photoresponse; application of the cells with a back side reflector for recycling the sub-band gap photons; and development of low-band gap tandem TPV cells for better utilization of the radiation spectrum. Sunlight concentrator and STPV modules were designed, fabricated, and tested under indoor and outdoor conditions. A cost-effective sunlight concentrator with Fresnel lens was developed as a primary concentrator and a secondary quartz meniscus lens ensured the high concentration ratio of ∼4000×, which is necessary for achieving the high efficiency of the concentrator–emitter system owing to trap escaping radiation. Several types of STPV modules have been developed and tested under concentrated sunlight. Photocurrent density of 4.5A∕cm2 was registered in a photoreceiver based on 1×1cm2GaSb cells under a solar powered tungsten emitter.

High Efficiency Energy Conversion System Based on Modified Brayton Cycle

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoli A. Borissov ◽  
Alexander A. Borissov ◽  
Kenneth K. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Positive Displacement ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Current State ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
First Results ◽  
Power Generation Systems ◽  
Vortex Combustion

Each year, the users in the U.S. alone spend over $100 billion on various type of engines to produce power — electrical, mechanical, and thermal. Despite technological advances, most all of these power generation systems have only been fine tuned: the engine efficiencies may have been improved slightly, but the underlying thermodynamic principles have not been modified to effect a drastic improvement. The result is that most engines in service today suffer from two major problems: low fuel efficiency and emission of high levels of polluting gases in the exhaust gases. The current state of propulsion engines or distributed generation technologies using heat engines shows an average efficiency of between 20% and 40%. These low efficiencies in a high–cost energy market indicate a great need for more efficient technologies. This paper describes a new method of achieving a very high efficiency, namely optimizing every stage of the thermodynamic process-Brayton cycle. Two modified processes, such as isothermal compression and recuperation, add about 35% efficiency to the conventional Brayton cycle, making 60% efficiency for modified Brayton cycle. By utilizing a positive displacement compressor and expander with a novel vortex combustion chamber and a vortex recuperator, high levels of efficiency with low emissions and noise are possible. The prototype engine with low RPM and high torque has been built which use continuous combustion of different fuels under a constant pressure. First results of the engine’s components testing are presented.

Stirling Engine Technology for Parabolic Dish-Stirling System Based on Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)

2015 ◽  
Vol 785 ◽  
pp. 576-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liaw Geok Pheng ◽  
Rosnani Affandi ◽  
Mohd Ruddin Ab Ghani ◽  
Chin Kim Gan ◽  
Jano Zanariah
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Stirling Engine ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Stirling Engines ◽  
Parabolic Dish ◽  
Mechanical Devices ◽  
And Control

Solar energy is one of the more attractive renewable energy sources that can be used as an input energy source for heat engines. In fact, any heat energy sources can be used with the Stirling engine. Stirling engines are mechanical devices working theoretically on the Stirling cycle, or its modifications, in which compressible fluids, such as air, hydrogen, helium, nitrogen or even vapors, are used as working fluids. When comparing with the internal combustion engine, the Stirling engine offers possibility for having high efficiency engine with less exhaust emissions. However, this paper analyzes the basic background of Stirling engine and reviews its existing literature pertaining to dynamic model and control system for parabolic dish-stirling (PD) system.

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