Free-piston Reciprocating Joule-cycle Engine-based Micro-combined Heat and Power System

ended

Developing domestic Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems presents one obvious way to generate electricity with high efficiency, mitigate strain on the grid and local distribution systems, and reduce gross energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The domestic micro-CHP market is currently served by ICE, Stirling, and ORC systems, all of which possess significant issues that limit wide micro-CHP installations. In order to solve the current developing predicament of residential micro-CHP market, and to develop affordable and efficient residential micro-CHP products, excellent prime mover technologies need to be developed. The Free-Piston Reciprocating Joule-cycle Engines (FPRJEs) proposed by Prof. Tony Roskilly’s group are preferred for residential micro-CHP applications because of their high electrical efficiency (greater than 30%), multi-fuel potential, good operational flexibility, simple mechanical structure, and low frictional loss. An integrated FPRJE-based micro-CHP demonstration system has not to date been developed and a numerical model which can describe the whole FPRJE-based micro-CHP system accurately is also lacking. In this project, a novel, first-of-its-kind 5 kWe FPRJE-based micro-CHP system that can be used in domestic buildings will be modelled, designed, built, tested, and improved at Durham University. The successful implementation of this project will be the first to validate the theoretical modelling of this novel micro-CHP system and will significantly increase our body of knowledge with respect to free piston engines. We will also be able to determine the technical feasibility of this proposed concept which aims to surpass current micro-CHP system efficiencies and achieve higher efficiency. This research will significantly contribute to the EU’s gross energy consumption and CO2 emissions reduction, and low-carbon cities development. The experienced researcher will obtain research-related skills, transferable skills and networking from the project.