Search results for "Electric generator"
showing 10 items of 51 documents
Design of a power conditioning unit for a Stirling generator in space applications
2012
The Free-Piston Stirling Generator (FPSG) is a thermal to electrical energy conversion system, based upon the thermal engine of the same name. Intensive research concerning the feasibility of the engine for its application in deep space and planetary missions has been conducted, primarily due to the potential increase in efficiency (−30%) over the currently used Radio-isotope Generators (RTGs). On the other hand, less attention has been paid to the power conditioning requirements and alternatives. The present work has investigated on the dynamics governing the FPSGs in order to assess the design requirements for the subsequent power-conditioning unit (PCU). Thereafter, two alternatives of A…
Thermo acoustic - MHD electrical Generator
2011
Abstract The thermo-acoustic generators offer a unique means of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy without any moving parts and without fluid circulation. They are comparable to the Stirling engine with the advantage of much greater simplicity. They are therefore natural candidates for special uses where interventions are limited. The problem to solve is transforming the mechanical energy into electrical energy. MHD generators offer excellent opportunities in this area, particularly by using the mechanisms of induction. The work concerns the combination of a thermo-acoustic generator with an induction generator of a new concept for obtaining electric current with adjustable vo…
Optimization of a thermoelectric system for power generation realized by ‘‘hidden’’ components
2014
Abstract Today the utilization of renewable energy sources is very important to support the traditional ones, and also in order to reach the objectives fixed by the Kyoto Protocol. In this context, also well-known technologies related to the electric energy production, formerly not suitable – due to the poor technological level of the components or due to the high costs linked to the system efficiency – may now find a suitable collocation. Among these technologies, the thermoelectric effect may be very advantageous in some particular applications of small power. A power generation system utilizing this technology has been studied by the authors. This system utilizes the thermal difference b…
Efficiency Maximization of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators Coupled to Wind Turbines
2007
In this paper a control algorithm for the efficiency improvement of permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG), the relative simulations and their results are presented. The proposed algorithm reduces the losses of the generator without affecting its performances. In details, after a description of a dynamic model of the PMSG, which has been modified in order to take into account the iron losses, the basic methodologies to obtain the loss minimization are presented and discussed. Many simulations of a specific PMSG employing the proposed algorithm were carried out and are presented. The results of these simulations show that enhancement of the efficiency up to 3% and more can be reached…
Local DoS applications with micro wind generation systems
2015
In this paper a wind electrical power generation system for Distributed on Site (DoS) applications is proposed. This system was developed and conceived in order to guarantee simple installation, use and service, obtaining a product that can be easily industrialized and put into the market with limited costs. The field of application of such an electrical generation system is addressed towards domestic or at the most toward condominium applications concerning moreover the opportunity of working in addition to combined photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems to enhance the renewable energy generation at house level (DoS). The proposed system has its hot spot in the blades shape, in the wind fl…
The use of sea waves for generation of electrical energy and Hydrogen
2009
Recently linear synchronous generator for the exploitation of sea wave energy has been proposed. That solution does not require reactive power to magnetize but needs permanent magnets to assure the excitation. The electrical energy generated by such a device must be converted and conditioned in order to match the instantaneous utility requirements and a power link from the sea to an interconnection is needed. In this paper in order to overcome that difficulty, the authors propose the use of the electrical energy generated to generate “in situ” hydrogen. As a result the output of the generation would be hydrogen that can be stored and used when needed The proposed electrical generator is a P…
Experimental Test and Simulations on a Linear Generator-Based Prototype of a Wave Energy Conversion System Designed with a Reliability-Oriented Appro…
2017
In this paper, we propose a reliability-oriented design of a linear generator-based prototype of a wave energy conversion (WEC), useful for the production of hydrogen in a sheltered water area like Mediterranean Sea. The hydrogen production has been confirmed by a lot of experimental testing and simulations. The system design is aimed to enhance the robustness and reliability and is based on an analysis of the main WEC failures reported in literature. The results of this analysis led to some improvements that are applied to a WEC system prototype for hydrogen production and storage. The proposed WEC system includes the electrical linear generator, the power conversion system, and a sea-wate…
Concepts for medium-high to high temperature thermoelectric heat-to-electricity conversion: a review of selected materials and basic considerations o…
2015
Within the last decade, novel materials concepts and nanotechnology have resulted in a great increase of the conversion efficiency of thermoelectric materials. Despite this, a mass market for thermoelectric heat-to-electricity conversion is yet to be opened up. One reason for this is that the transfer of the lab records into fabrication techniques which enable thermoelectric generator modules is very challenging. By closing the gap between record lab values and modules, broad industrial applications may become feasible. In this review, we compare three classes of materials, all designed for medium-high to high temperature applications in the field of waste heat recovery: skutterudites, half…
Enhanced thermoelectric performance in the p-type half-Heusler (Ti/Zr/Hf)CoSb0.8Sn0.2 system via phase separation
2014
A novel approach for optimization of the thermoelectric properties of p-type Heusler compounds with a C1b structure was investigated. A successful recipe for achieving intrinsic phase separation in the n-type material based on the TiNiSn system is isoelectronic partial substitution of Ti with its heavier homologues Zr and Hf. We applied this concept to the p-type system MCoSb0.8Sn0.2 by a systematic investigation of samples with different compositions at the Ti position (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Ti0.5Zr0.5, Zr0.5Hf0.5, and Ti0.5Hf0.5). We thus achieved an approximately 40% reduction of the thermal conductivity and a maximum figure of merit ZT of 0.9 at 700 °C. This is a 80% improvement in peak ZT fr…
A Solar Pond for Feeding a Thermoelectric Generator or an Organic Rankine Cycle System
2017
The world energy demand is continuously growing, which means an increase in consumption for all modern fuels or stronger effort on the development and improvement of renewable technologies. Moreover, Developing Countries claims more energy and they have often wide unutilized or unusable lands. The solar energy represents a useful opportunity for these Countries. The Solar Pond is both a solar collector and a thermal storage for long period and is suitable to use in wide sunny areas. Solar pond technology is able to supply heat for several applications requiring low-grade thermal energy or for electrical power production. In order to produce electrical energy from solar ponds it is necessary…