Current research projects

Image Software for technical building equipment
Image Thermal engines
Image State of system and failure analyses
Image Brine (water)-water heat pump
Image High Capacity Pulse Tube Cooler
Image Combined building and system simulation
Image Refrigerants, lubricants and mixtures
Image Cryostats, Non-Metallic and Metallic
Image Software for test rigs
Image Multifunctional electronic modules for cryogenic applications
Image Panel with indirect evaporative cooling via membrane
Image Measurement of insulated packaging
Image Influenced melting point of water by magnetic field
Image Test method for high - temperature heat pump - oils
Image Test rigs for refrigeration and heat pump technology
Image Testzentrum PLWP at ILK Dresden

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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

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Tensile and compression testing

Determination of yield strength, tensile strength and elongation at break