Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/L505912/1 | |
| Title | Novel Variable Conductance Heat Pipe Coupled with a Stirling Engine | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Energy Efficiency(Other) 80%; Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial) 20%; |
|
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Professor C P Underwood No email address given Sustainable Cities Research Institute Northumbria University |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 February 2014 | |
| End Date | 30 April 2015 | |
| Duration | 15 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £37,415 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | North East | |
| Programme | Energy : Energy | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Professor C P Underwood , Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Northumbria University (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Dr B Ng , Fac of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University (0.001%) |
|
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | The proposed work involves the design, construction and testing on a micro-combined-heat-and-power (mCHP) unit of a variable capacity heat pipe (VCHP) in which the mCHP waste heat is managed using one or more (depending upon capacity of the store) novel heat pipes arranged to link with a phase change material (PCM) thermal store. Novelty lies in the use of an inert gas inventory in the heat pipe whose pressure can be varied in response to domestic heating demand and the inclusion of a compact PCM thermal store. Variations in inert gas pressure are used to regulate the domestic heating system heat exchange surface area (and, hence, capacity) smoothly and continuously, whilst the PCM thermal store is used to manage the availability of this heat over extended time horizons. Though the proposal is focused on domestic-scale mCHP applications, the concept is equally applicable to larger scale commercial combined heat and power plants. Northumbria's University's contribution is to develop a simulation model of the mCHP unit and VCHP and use the model to design a domestic-scale experimental pilot rig. The pilot rig will be constructed in Northumbria's Low Carbon Systems laboratory using an existing Stirling cycle mCHP module. The VCHP unit will be constructed by the collaborators to the sizing specification designed with the assistance of the simulation model. Northumbria will perform a series of experiments at thermal demands relevant to typical domestic heating loads - both winter (space heating and hot water) and summer (hotwater only). The intention is to develop the research to a proof-of-concept stage only. A further application of the simulation model will be used to design system options for a range of house types with differing occupancies and heating demands. Results will be reported as a basis for possible prototyping and field demonstration | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 11/04/14 | |
