An elastic rotating energy converter with Humphrey thermodynamic cycle and real constant volume combustion. (25th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Chenheng; Yang, Bo; Ren, Haigen; He, Yituan
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 176(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07-25
• Subjects: Elastic rotating energy converter -- Humphrey cycle -- Thermal efficiency -- Constant volume combustion, expansion ratio; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: An innovative elastic rotating energy converter is presented. The converter features with Humphrey cycle and constant volume heating. The energy efficiency of the EREC is compared to that of a CCE. The EREC behaves higher energy conversion efficiency than the CCE. Abstract: This article reports a novel elastic rotating energy converter (EREC) which builds two elastic combustors rather than conventional rigid combustor. The elastic combustor is composed of a cylinder block, two covers located in the front and rear, a rotor, and two special leaf pistons. The EREC is featured with new Humphrey thermodynamic cycle to behave constant volume combustion and over-expansion for efficient energy conversion. The preliminary performance of the EREC is also simulated by using thermodynamic model; meanwhile an elementary evaluation of energy efficiency of the EREC is performed by comparing a corresponding conventional combustion engine (CCE) in ideal condition and actual condition. Results indicate that compared with the CCE, the EREC shows a greater potential to convert fuel energy to indicated work due to the over-expanded thermodynamic cycle. Moreover, the advantages of thermal efficiency in the EREC are further expanded in actual condition, because it satisfies the expected constant volume combustion and eliminates the energy loss of non-instantaneous heat release. The simulation finds that the energy efficiency of the EREC varies in positive correlation with expansion ratio. Suggesting that in order to achieve efficient utilization of fuel combustion, the large expansion operation is a good choice for the EREC.