• Energy Research
• Embargo close
• engineering and technology close
• DE close
• US close
• AU close
• EU close

Thermoacoustic technology emerges as a sustainable and low-carbon method for energy conversion, leveraging environmentally friendly working mediums and independence from electricity. This study presents the development of a multimode heat-driven thermoacoustic system designed to utilize medium/low-grade heat sources for room-temperature cooling and heating. We constructed both a simulation model and an experimental prototype for a single-unit direct-coupled thermoacoustic system, exploring its performance in heating-only, cooling-only, and hybrid heating and cooling modes. Internal characteristic analysis including an examination of internal exergy loss and a distribution analysis of key parameters was first conducted in the hybrid cooling and heating mode. The results indicated a positive-focused traveling-wave-dominant acoustic field within the thermoacoustic core unit, enhancing energy conversion efficiency. The output system performance was subsequently tested under different working conditions in the heating-only and cooling-only modes. A maximum output heating power of 2.3 kW and a maximum COPh of 1.41 were observed in the heating-only mode. Meanwhile, a cooling power of 748 W and a COPc of 0.4 were obtained in the typical cooling condition at 7 °C when operating in cooling-only mode. These findings underscore the promising potential of thermoacoustic systems for efficiently utilizing medium/low-grade heat sources for cooling and/or heating applications in the future.

Thermoacoustic technology emerges as a sustainable and low-carbon method for energy conversion, leveraging environmentally friendly working mediums and independence from electricity. This study presents the development of a multimode heat-driven thermoacoustic system designed to utilize medium/low-grade heat sources for room-temperature cooling and heating. We constructed both a simulation model and an experimental prototype for a single-unit direct-coupled thermoacoustic system, exploring its performance in heating-only, cooling-only, and hybrid heating and cooling modes. Internal characteristic analysis including an examination of internal exergy loss and a distribution analysis of key parameters was first conducted in the hybrid cooling and heating mode. The results indicated a positive-focused traveling-wave-dominant acoustic field within the thermoacoustic core unit, enhancing energy conversion efficiency. The output system performance was subsequently tested under different working conditions in the heating-only and cooling-only modes. A maximum output heating power of 2.3 kW and a maximum COPh of 1.41 were observed in the heating-only mode. Meanwhile, a cooling power of 748 W and a COPc of 0.4 were obtained in the typical cooling condition at 7 °C when operating in cooling-only mode. These findings underscore the promising potential of thermoacoustic systems for efficiently utilizing medium/low-grade heat sources for cooling and/or heating applications in the future.

Filament seals, such as brush seals and leaf seals, are investigated as a potential improved seal for gas turbine applications. As these seals operate in contact with the rotor, a good understanding of their stiffness is required in order to minimize seal wear and degradation. This paper demonstrates that the filament and complete seal stiffness is affected in comparable magnitudes by mechanical and aerodynamic forces. In certain cases, the aerodynamic forces can also lead to an overall negative seal stiffness which may affect stable seal operation. In negative stiffness, the displacement of the seal or rotor into an eccentric position causes a resultant force, which, rather than restoring the rotor to a central position, acts to amplify its displacement. Insight into the forces acting on the seal filaments is gained by investigating a leaf seal, which consists of a pack of thin planar leaves arranged around the rotor, with coverplates on either side of the leaf pack, offset from the pack surfaces. The leaf seal is chosen due to its geometry being more suitable for analysis compared to alternative filament seals such as the brush seal. Data from two experimental campaigns are presented which show a seal exhibiting negative stiffness and a seal exhibiting a stiffness reduction due to aerodynamic effects. An empirical model for the forces acting on leaf filaments is developed based on the experimental data, which allows separation of mechanical and aerodynamic forces. In addition a numerical model is developed to analyze the flow approaching the leaf pack and the interleaf flow, which gives an insight into the causes of the aerodynamic forces. Using the empirical and numerical models together, a full picture of the forces affecting leaf stiffness is created. Validation of the models is achieved by successfully predicting seal stiffness for a further data set across the full range of operating conditions. The understanding of aerodynamic forces and their impact on filament and seal stiffness allows for their consideration in leaf seal design. A qualitative assessment of how they may be used to improve seal operation in filament seals is given.

Filament seals, such as brush seals and leaf seals, are investigated as a potential improved seal for gas turbine applications. As these seals operate in contact with the rotor, a good understanding of their stiffness is required in order to minimize seal wear and degradation. This paper demonstrates that the filament and complete seal stiffness is affected in comparable magnitudes by mechanical and aerodynamic forces. In certain cases, the aerodynamic forces can also lead to an overall negative seal stiffness which may affect stable seal operation. In negative stiffness, the displacement of the seal or rotor into an eccentric position causes a resultant force, which, rather than restoring the rotor to a central position, acts to amplify its displacement. Insight into the forces acting on the seal filaments is gained by investigating a leaf seal, which consists of a pack of thin planar leaves arranged around the rotor, with coverplates on either side of the leaf pack, offset from the pack surfaces. The leaf seal is chosen due to its geometry being more suitable for analysis compared to alternative filament seals such as the brush seal. Data from two experimental campaigns are presented which show a seal exhibiting negative stiffness and a seal exhibiting a stiffness reduction due to aerodynamic effects. An empirical model for the forces acting on leaf filaments is developed based on the experimental data, which allows separation of mechanical and aerodynamic forces. In addition a numerical model is developed to analyze the flow approaching the leaf pack and the interleaf flow, which gives an insight into the causes of the aerodynamic forces. Using the empirical and numerical models together, a full picture of the forces affecting leaf stiffness is created. Validation of the models is achieved by successfully predicting seal stiffness for a further data set across the full range of operating conditions. The understanding of aerodynamic forces and their impact on filament and seal stiffness allows for their consideration in leaf seal design. A qualitative assessment of how they may be used to improve seal operation in filament seals is given.

The lifetime and reliability of power transformers are primarily dependent on the hot-spot temperature in the windings, as temperature is the most important factor determining the insulation degradation rate. Key to removing the heat from the transformer is the radiator which must be carefully designed to keep the temperatures within limits under all operating conditions whilst minimizing the transformer size, weight and cost. This paper compares the analytical method used to predict the radiator performance with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models in terms of heat dissipation. It is found that the analytical method and CFD models give similar results in the air natural (AN) cooling modes, whereas the analytical method overestimates the heat dissipation in the air forced (AF) cooling modes. Moreover, the thermal conduction effect in the radiator wall is investigated under different operating conditions and for different radiator sizes using the CFD models. The simulation results indicate that the radiator wall contributes to 6%-10% of the total heat dissipation under some circumstances and therefore should not be simply ignored in radiator models.

The lifetime and reliability of power transformers are primarily dependent on the hot-spot temperature in the windings, as temperature is the most important factor determining the insulation degradation rate. Key to removing the heat from the transformer is the radiator which must be carefully designed to keep the temperatures within limits under all operating conditions whilst minimizing the transformer size, weight and cost. This paper compares the analytical method used to predict the radiator performance with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models in terms of heat dissipation. It is found that the analytical method and CFD models give similar results in the air natural (AN) cooling modes, whereas the analytical method overestimates the heat dissipation in the air forced (AF) cooling modes. Moreover, the thermal conduction effect in the radiator wall is investigated under different operating conditions and for different radiator sizes using the CFD models. The simulation results indicate that the radiator wall contributes to 6%-10% of the total heat dissipation under some circumstances and therefore should not be simply ignored in radiator models.

In industrialized countries, large amounts of mineral wastes are produced. They are re-used in various ways, particularly in road and earth constructions, substituting primary resources such as gravel. However, they may also contain pollutants, such as heavy metals, which may be leached to the groundwater. The toxic impacts of these emissions are so far often neglected within Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products or waste treatment services and thus, potentially large environmental impacts are currently missed. This study aims at closing this gap by assessing the ecotoxic impacts of heavy metal leaching from industrial mineral wastes in road and earth constructions. The flows of metals such as Sb, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, V and Zn originating from three typical constructions to the environment are quantified, their fate in the environment is assessed and potential ecotoxic effects evaluated. For our reference country, Germany, the industrial wastes that are applied as Granular Secondary Construction Material (GSCM) carry more than 45,000 t of diverse heavy metals per year. Depending on the material quality and construction type applied, up to 150 t of heavy metals may leach to the environment within the first 100 years after construction. Heavy metal retardation in subsoil can potentially reduce the fate to groundwater by up to 100%. One major challenge of integrating leaching from constructions into macro-scale LCA frameworks is the high variability in micro-scale technical and geographical factors, such as material qualities, construction types and soil types. In our work, we consider a broad range of parameter values in the modeling of leaching and fate. This allows distinguishing between the impacts of various road constructions, as well as sites with different soil properties. The findings of this study promote the quantitative consideration of environmental impacts of long-term leaching in Life Cycle Assessment, complementing site-specific risk assessment, for the design of waste management strategies, particularly in the construction sector.

In industrialized countries, large amounts of mineral wastes are produced. They are re-used in various ways, particularly in road and earth constructions, substituting primary resources such as gravel. However, they may also contain pollutants, such as heavy metals, which may be leached to the groundwater. The toxic impacts of these emissions are so far often neglected within Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products or waste treatment services and thus, potentially large environmental impacts are currently missed. This study aims at closing this gap by assessing the ecotoxic impacts of heavy metal leaching from industrial mineral wastes in road and earth constructions. The flows of metals such as Sb, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, V and Zn originating from three typical constructions to the environment are quantified, their fate in the environment is assessed and potential ecotoxic effects evaluated. For our reference country, Germany, the industrial wastes that are applied as Granular Secondary Construction Material (GSCM) carry more than 45,000 t of diverse heavy metals per year. Depending on the material quality and construction type applied, up to 150 t of heavy metals may leach to the environment within the first 100 years after construction. Heavy metal retardation in subsoil can potentially reduce the fate to groundwater by up to 100%. One major challenge of integrating leaching from constructions into macro-scale LCA frameworks is the high variability in micro-scale technical and geographical factors, such as material qualities, construction types and soil types. In our work, we consider a broad range of parameter values in the modeling of leaching and fate. This allows distinguishing between the impacts of various road constructions, as well as sites with different soil properties. The findings of this study promote the quantitative consideration of environmental impacts of long-term leaching in Life Cycle Assessment, complementing site-specific risk assessment, for the design of waste management strategies, particularly in the construction sector.

Abstract As main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, power and transportation are crucial sectors for energy system decarbonization. Their interaction is expected to increase significantly: plug-in electric vehicles add a new electric load, increasing grid demand and potentially requiring substantial grid upgrade; hydrogen production for fuel cell electric vehicles or for clean fuels synthesis could exploit the projected massive power overgeneration by intermittent and seasonally-dependent renewable sources via Power-to-Hydrogen. This work investigates the infrastructural needs involved with a broad diffusion of clean mobility, adopting a sector integration perspective at the national scale. The analysis combines a multi-node energy system balance simulation and a techno-economic assessment of the infrastructure to deliver energy vectors for mobility. The article explores the long-term case of Italy, considering a massive increase of renewable power generation capacity and investigating different mobility scenarios, where low-emission vehicles account for 50% of the stock. First, the model solves the energy balances, integrating the consumption related to mobility energy vectors and taking into account power grid constraints. Then, an optimal infrastructure is identified, composed of both a hydrogen delivery network and a widespread installation of charging points. Results show that the infrastructural requirements bring about investment costs in the range of 43–63 G€. Lower specific costs are associated with the exclusive presence of FCEVs, whereas the full reliance on BEVs leads to the most significant costs. Scenarios that combine FCEVs and BEVs lie in between, suggesting that the overall power + mobility system benefits from the presence of both drivetrain options.

Abstract As main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, power and transportation are crucial sectors for energy system decarbonization. Their interaction is expected to increase significantly: plug-in electric vehicles add a new electric load, increasing grid demand and potentially requiring substantial grid upgrade; hydrogen production for fuel cell electric vehicles or for clean fuels synthesis could exploit the projected massive power overgeneration by intermittent and seasonally-dependent renewable sources via Power-to-Hydrogen. This work investigates the infrastructural needs involved with a broad diffusion of clean mobility, adopting a sector integration perspective at the national scale. The analysis combines a multi-node energy system balance simulation and a techno-economic assessment of the infrastructure to deliver energy vectors for mobility. The article explores the long-term case of Italy, considering a massive increase of renewable power generation capacity and investigating different mobility scenarios, where low-emission vehicles account for 50% of the stock. First, the model solves the energy balances, integrating the consumption related to mobility energy vectors and taking into account power grid constraints. Then, an optimal infrastructure is identified, composed of both a hydrogen delivery network and a widespread installation of charging points. Results show that the infrastructural requirements bring about investment costs in the range of 43–63 G€. Lower specific costs are associated with the exclusive presence of FCEVs, whereas the full reliance on BEVs leads to the most significant costs. Scenarios that combine FCEVs and BEVs lie in between, suggesting that the overall power + mobility system benefits from the presence of both drivetrain options.