Investigate a hybrid open-Rankine cycle small-scale axial nitrogen expander by a camber line control point parameterization optimization technique

Abstract During the last few decades, low-grade heat sources such as solar energy and wind energy have enhanced the efficiency of advanced renewable technologies such as the combined Rankine cycle, with a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. To address the problem of the intermittent nature of such renewable sources, energy storage technologies have been used to balance the power demand and smooth out energy production. In this study, a detailed thermodynamic analysis of a hybrid open Rankine cycle was conducted by using engineering equation solver (EES) software in order to investigate the performance of such a cycle using a liquid nitrogen energy storage system. In this cycle configuration, the conventional closed loop Rankine cycle (topping cycle) is combined with a direct open Rankine cycle (bottoming cycle) for a more efficient system which can solve the problem of discontinuous renewable sources. In the direct open-Rankine cycle, the small expander is the main component that can improve the cycle’s performance and as a result, this small expander needs to be optimized for maximum efficiency to achieve high system performance levels. In this work a small-scale nitrogen axial expander has been optimized and modeled to be incorporated into a hybrid open-Rankine cycle, using a one-dimensional preliminary design and CFD three-dimensional ANSYS design exploration and a novel camber line control point parametrization technique, which is outlined in detail. The design optimization approach has been proven as an effective tool that could enhance turbine efficiency from 72% to 76.3% and output power from 2076 W to 2597.6 W. The optimized turbine using the control points’ approach could also improve the cycle’s thermal efficiency by 3.38% compared with the baseline design. Such results underline the potential of full simulation optimization by using a blade camber line control point’s parametrization technique for a small-scale expander with low flow rate and rotational speed.

[1]  Robert Morgan,et al.  Liquid air energy storage – Analysis and first results from a pilot scale demonstration plant , 2015 .

[2]  Raya Al-Dadah,et al.  One-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Numerical Optimization and Comparison of Single-Stage Supersonic and Dual-Stage Transonic Radial Inflow Turbines for the ORC , 2016 .

[3]  Ahmed F. Ghoniem,et al.  Needs, resources and climate change: Clean and efficient conversion technologies , 2011 .

[4]  Seamus D. Garvey,et al.  The Role of Energy Storage in Low-Carbon Energy Systems , 2016 .

[5]  M. Manno,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of a liquid air energy storage system , 2015 .

[6]  Henk Huisseune,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of energy storage with a liquid air Rankine cycle , 2013 .

[7]  Michele Pinelli,et al.  Analysis of a scroll machine for micro ORC applications by means of a RE/CFD methodology , 2015 .

[8]  E. M. Smith.  Storage of Electrical Energy Using Supercritical Liquid Air , 1977 .

[9]  Raya Al-Dadah,et al.  Parametric analysis and optimization of a small-scale radial turbine for Organic Rankine Cycle , 2015 .

[10]  Kwang-Yong Kim,et al.  Performance enhancement of axial fan blade through multi-objective optimization techniques , 2010 .

[11]  Xiang Wang,et al.  A cryogen‐based peak‐shaving technology: systematic approach and techno‐economic analysis , 2013 .

[12]  Xiang Wang,et al.  An integrated solar-cryogen hybrid power system , 2012 .

[13]  Lei Shi,et al.  A review of scroll expanders for organic Rankine cycle systems , 2015 .

[14]  Tzu-Chen Hung,et al.  Experimental study and CFD approach for scroll type expander used in low-temperature organic Rankine cycle , 2014 .

[15]  John Horlock.  Axial Flow Turbines: Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics , 1973 .

[16]  Lingen Chen,et al.  Optimization for a steam turbine stage efficiency using a genetic algorithm , 2003 .

[17]  Ayad Al Jubori,et al.  Impact of Skin Friction, Tip Clearance and Trailing Edge Losses on Small Scale Cryogenic Axial Turbine Performance , 2016 .

[18]  Raya Al-Dadah,et al.  Liquid air/nitrogen energy storage and power generation system for micro-grid applications , 2017 .

[19]  H. R. M. Craig,et al.  Performance Estimation of Axial Flow Turbines , 1970 .

[20]  Ali Nourai,et al.  Characterization and assessment of novel bulk storage technologies : a study for the DOE Energy Storage Systems program. , 2011 .

[21]  Khalil M. Khalil,et al.  Impact of advanced blade configuration on small scale cryogenic axial turbine performance , 2016, 2016 International Conference for Students on Applied Engineering (ICSAE).

[22]  S. L. Dixon,et al.  Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics of turbomachinery , 1966 .

[23]  Y. Çengel,et al.  Thermodynamics : An Engineering Approach , 1989 .

[24]  Vincent Lemort,et al.  Testing and modeling a scroll expander integrated into an Organic Rankine Cycle , 2009 .

[25]  Ayad Al Jubori,et al.  Development of micro-scale axial and radial turbines for low-temperature heat source driven organic Rankine cycle , 2016 .

[26]  Ayad Al Jubori,et al.  Three dimensional optimization of small-scale axial turbine for low temperature heat source driven organic Rankine cycle , 2017 .

[27]  Carlos F.M. Coimbra,et al.  Performance evaluation of various cryogenic energy storage systems , 2015 .

[28]  Esch Thomas,et al.  TED-AJ03-542 HEAT TRANSFER PREDICTIONS BASED ON TWO-EQUATION TURBULENCE MODELS , 2003 .

[29]  Dacheng Li,et al.  Load shifting of nuclear power plants using cryogenic energy storage technology , 2014 .

[30]  P. N. Hobson,et al.  Engineering for profit from waste. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers , 1988 .

[31]  David Japikse,et al.  Introduction to Turbomachinery , 1994 .

[32]  Saad Mahmoud,et al.  Parametric analysis of blade configurations for a small-scale nitrogen axial expander with hybrid open-Rankine cycle , 2017 .

[33]  Zaoxiao Zhang,et al.  Integration of Low-level Waste Heat Recovery and Liquefied Nature Gas Cold Energy Utilization , 2008 .

[34]  Yulong Ding,et al.  An integrated system for thermal power generation, electrical energy storage and CO2 capture , 2011 .

[35]  Haisheng Chen,et al.  Fundamentals and applications of cryogen as a thermal energy carrier: a critical assessment. , 2010 .

[36]  Xianfeng Fan,et al.  Handbook of Clean Energy Systems , 2015 .

[37]  Peter Tzscheutschler,et al.  An International Survey of Electrical and DHW Load Profiles for Use in Simulating the Performance of Residential Micro-Cogeneration Systems , 2014 .

[38]  Raya Al-Dadah,et al.  Minimization of loss in small scale axial air turbine using CFD modeling and evolutionary algorithm optimization , 2016 .

[39]  Hailei Wang,et al.  Experimental performance of a compliant scroll expander for an organic Rankine cycle , 2009 .

[40]  Seamus D. Garvey,et al.  Compressed air energy storage with liquid air capacity extension , 2015 .

[41]  Saffa Riffat,et al.  Expanders for micro-CHP systems with organic Rankine cycle , 2011 .

[42]  Wang Qiang,et al.  Analysis of power cycle based on cold energy of liquefied natural gas and low-grade heat source , 2004 .