Thermal Transpiration Based Micro-Scale Pumping and Power Generation Devices

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhimanyu Bhat ◽  
Cory Bloomquist ◽  
Jeongmin Ahn ◽  
Yongha Kim ◽  
Dave Kim
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Thermal Transpiration

Non-Propulsive Miniature Power Device Based on SOFC and Combustion-Driven Thermal Transpiration Pump

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingying Zeng ◽  
Kang Wang ◽  
Jeongmin Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Hydrocarbon Fuels ◽  
Power Device ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Power Generator ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Thermal Transpiration

A meso/micro-scale self-sustaining power generator that is self-contained, has pumping and power generation integrated into one device, has no moving parts and operates only on thermal and electrochemical energy supplied by hydrocarbon fuels, was demonstrated. A solid oxide fuel cell tested with the device obtained a power of 20 mW/cm2.

A self-sustaining thermal transpiration gas pump and SOFC power generation system

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 3327-3334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang Wang ◽  
Pingying Zeng ◽  
Jeongmin Ahn ◽  
Paul D. Ronney
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Generation System ◽  
Thermal Transpiration ◽  
Power Generation System

scholarly journals Thermal Transpiration Based Pumping and Power Generation Devices

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingying ZENG ◽  
Kang WANG ◽  
Jeongmin AHN ◽  
Paul D. RONNEY
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Thermal Transpiration

Investigation of Mycelium Growth Network As a Thermal Transpiration Membrane for Thermal Transpiration Based Pumping and Power Generation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliza M. Willsey ◽  
Alexander R. Hartwell ◽  
Thomas S. Welles ◽  
Daekwon Park ◽  
Paul D. Ronney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mycelium Growth ◽  
Pore Characteristics ◽  
Thermal Transpiration ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Power Generation Systems

Abstract Micro combustion and power generation systems have increasingly been investigated as potential alternatives to electrochemical energy storage thanks to hydrocarbon fuel’s high energy density, but electrical componentry for pumping significantly limits the overall system efficiency. These components must be eliminated to allow for widespread adoption of micro combustion and power generation systems, and so the development of an alternative pumping technique is required. By taking advantage of the thermal transpiration phenomenon, small-scale pumping can be obtained in the presence of a temperature gradient. Initial work has been done to investigate the efficacy of this system, but a major issue has arisen due to the lack of low-cost thermal transpiration membranes with desirable pore characteristics. Research has revealed that vessel hyphae present in the roots of mushrooms (mycelium) form a network which could meet the requirements of an effective thermal transpiration membrane. Proper growing conditions could also allow for an application specific mycelium structure providing a highly effective and low-cost thermal transpiration membrane for micro combustion systems.

Power Generation From Thermal Transpiration Based Pumping Devices

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingying Zeng ◽  
Kang Wang ◽  
Ryan Falkenstein-Smith ◽  
Jeongmin Ahn ◽  
Paul D. Ronney
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Hydrocarbon Fuels ◽  
Generation System ◽  
Pump System ◽  
Membrane Pore ◽  
Thermal Transpiration ◽  
Power Generation System

This study examines the successful development of a combustion-driven thermal transpiration-based combustor and a self-sustaining gas pump system having no moving parts and using readily storable hydrocarbon fuel. A stacked configuration was then integrated into the combustor creating a self-sustaining power generation system. In recent years, power generation devices employing hydrocarbon fuels rather than electrochemical storage as energy feedstock have been studied extensively due to the much higher energy densities of hydrocarbon fuels than the best available batteries. While many devices have been proposed including internal combustion engines and gas turbines, they all require the use of air to obtain a higher energy density so that only one reactant (fuel) need be carried. Thermal transpiration was accomplished by meeting two essential conditions: (1) gas flow in the transitional or molecular regime using glass microfiber filters as transpiration membranes and (2) a temperature gradient through the membrane using catalytic combustion downstream of the membrane. A cubic combustor was designed to house the thermal transpiration membrane and develop into a self-sustaining gas pump system. Fuel/Air would feed through an inlet into a mixing chamber that would flow into the thermal guard containing the thermal transpiration membrane. The thermal guard was developed from a high thermal conductivity stainless steel made into a cubic formation by using a 3D printing process. This configuration allowed both fuel and air to be transpired through the membrane meaning it was not possible for any reactant flow to occur as a result of the fuel supply pressure and only the membrane could draw reactants into the device. In addition to pumping, a single-chamber solid-oxide fuel cell (SC-SOFC) was incorporated into combustion driven thermal transpiration pumps to convert chemical or thermal energy into electrical energy for a self-contained portable power generation system. Experiments showed that transpiration pumps with larger porosity and larger overall size exhibited better performance, though membrane pore size had little effect. These results were quantitatively consistent with theoretical predictions. By exploiting the temperature and fuel/oxygen concentrations within the transpiration pump, the SOFC achieved a maximum power density of 40 mW/cm2. Despite being far lower than necessary for a power source to be competitive with batteries, this preliminary study signifies an on-going positive efficiency that has potential for improvement through optimizing SOFC technology.

scholarly journals Review on Progress and Challenges of the Power Generation Systems at Micro-Scales

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 185-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Jie Chen ◽  
De Guang Xu
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Nuclear Fission ◽  
Liquid Hydrocarbon ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Critical Study ◽  
Energy Storage Devices ◽  
Micro Scale

The miniaturization of electro-mechanical devices, and the resulting need for micro-power generation (milliwatts to watts) with low weight, long life devices, has led to the recent development of the field of micro-scale combustion and power generation. The primary objective of this new field is to leverage the high energy density of fuels, specifically liquid hydrocarbon fuels relative to batteries and all other energy storage devices other than nuclear fission, fusion or decay. Some brief scaling arguments are given in this work, and more detailed efforts are referred. A brief introduction to several of the fabrication techniques is presented in this work. Hydrogen-based and some preliminary specialty fuel micro-fuel cells have been successfully developed, and there is a need to develop reliable reformers (or direct conversion fuel cells) for liquid hydrocarbons so that the fuel cells become competitive with the batteries. In this work, the technological issues related to micro-scale combustion and the development of thermochemical devices for power generation will be discussed. Some of the systems currently being developed will be presented, ongoing critical study issues under investigation, and other potential areas of development discussed. Comments regarding the opportunities and limitations of each of the techniques are also presented where applicable.

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