Current research projects

Image Investigation of materials
Image Tribological investigations of oil-refrigerant-material-systems
Image Tensile and compression testing
Image Air-flow test rig for fan characteristic measurement
Image Panel with indirect evaporative cooling via membrane
Image In-situ investigation concerning the swelling behaviour of polymer materials under elevated pressures and temperatures
Image Certification of efficient air conditioning and ventilation systems through the new "indoor air quality seal" for non-residential buildings
Image Lifetime prediction of hermetic compressor systems
Image Laseroptical measurement
Image Innovative cryogenic cooling system for the recondensation / liquefaction of technical gases up to 77 K
Image Testzentrum PLWP at ILK Dresden
Image Cool Up
Image Performance tests of condensing units
Image Computational fluid dynamics CFD
Image Energy efficiency consulting - cogeneration systems
Image Investigation of coolants

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Thermal engines

Industry

Dipl.-Ing. Gunar Schroeder

+49-351-4081-5129

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

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ZeroHeatPump

Performance management of small heat pumps without energy consumption

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Mass Spectrometer

Determining the composition of gas mixtures in the high or ultra-high vacuum range