Experimental investigation of the atmospheric steam engine with forced expansion
Experimental investigation of the atmospheric steam engine with forced expansion
Low and medium temperature thermal energy with temperatures of 100°–150 °C is available from renewable energy sources such as solar thermal or geothermal energy. Recent progress in flat plate solar thermal collector technology indicates that economical solutions for this temperature range are now becoming possible. Current technologies to generate mechanical energy from this temperature bracket such as Organic Rankin Cycle machines are however complex, and therefore only economical for larger units. There is a need for a simple, cost-effective medium temperature thermal engine for small-scale applications. Recently, the atmospheric steam engine was re-evaluated for this application. The theory was extended to include a forced expansion stroke. This can increase the theoretical efficiency of the ideal engine from 6.5% to 20%. In order to assess this theory, a series of experiments was conducted at Southampton University. It was found that the isothermal expansion of steam, and its subsequent condensation, is possible. The experiments showed a maximum efficiency of 10.2% for an expansion ratio of 1:4, indicating the validity of the theory. A further increase of efficiency to approximately 17% appears possible. It was concluded that the atmospheric engine with forced expansion has development potential
thermal engine, low and medium temperature, solar thermal energy, steam engine
348-355
Müller, Gerald
f1a988fc-3bde-429e-83e2-041e9792bfd9
Parker, George
a0832fbf-94ab-4c80-8ff8-988a0b8562bf
March 2015
Müller, Gerald
f1a988fc-3bde-429e-83e2-041e9792bfd9
Parker, George
a0832fbf-94ab-4c80-8ff8-988a0b8562bf
Müller, Gerald and Parker, George
(2015)
Experimental investigation of the atmospheric steam engine with forced expansion.
Renewable Energy, 75, .
(doi:10.1016/j.renene.2014.09.061).
Abstract
Low and medium temperature thermal energy with temperatures of 100°–150 °C is available from renewable energy sources such as solar thermal or geothermal energy. Recent progress in flat plate solar thermal collector technology indicates that economical solutions for this temperature range are now becoming possible. Current technologies to generate mechanical energy from this temperature bracket such as Organic Rankin Cycle machines are however complex, and therefore only economical for larger units. There is a need for a simple, cost-effective medium temperature thermal engine for small-scale applications. Recently, the atmospheric steam engine was re-evaluated for this application. The theory was extended to include a forced expansion stroke. This can increase the theoretical efficiency of the ideal engine from 6.5% to 20%. In order to assess this theory, a series of experiments was conducted at Southampton University. It was found that the isothermal expansion of steam, and its subsequent condensation, is possible. The experiments showed a maximum efficiency of 10.2% for an expansion ratio of 1:4, indicating the validity of the theory. A further increase of efficiency to approximately 17% appears possible. It was concluded that the atmospheric engine with forced expansion has development potential
Text
Revised manuscript Muller 22_06_2014.pdf
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 12 September 2014
Published date: March 2015
Keywords:
thermal engine, low and medium temperature, solar thermal energy, steam engine
Organisations:
Water & Environmental Engineering Group
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 381695
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/381695
ISSN: 0960-1481
PURE UUID: e6191e29-8917-4d4a-b97a-6cfef9255dab
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Date deposited: 09 Oct 2015 15:14
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 21:19
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Author:
George Parker
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