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Thermal engines
Power Generation from Waste Heat
Principally every refrigeration process could also work as a power cycle. In this way an energy consuming machine which provides a temperature below the ambient temperature turns into a heat engine operating between the ambient and a higher temperature. In a first step cryogenic refrigeration cycles are used reversely as heat engines, as they can handle large temperature gradients.
Thermal engines similar to the Stirling cycles
In cooperation with FOX exhaust systems, the ILK Dresden has developed a waste heat recovery system. The thermal engine dedicated for the car exhaust gas system was now presented at the International Motor Show (IAA, 2011) in Frankfurt for the first time.
With the aid of a model the functionality was demonstrated impressively.
The prototype will deliver an electrical power of 2 kW, at an exhaust gas temperature between 300 and 500°C (570 to 930°F). Currently optimization work, mainly related to generator, is underway. The figure below shows the illustration of the thermal engine in an exhaust tract.
Thermal engines related to other thermodynamic cycles
With several industrial partners heat engines are under development, which operate according to the following thermodynamic cycles:
- closed and open Joule process
- valve less Ericsson process
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Further Projects
Investigation of materials
Investigations regarding the compatibility of materials with refrigerants, oils and heat transfer fluids
