UPTHERM Innovative high efficiency phase change fluid based heat engine
Objectives
The project objective is the development of an innovative engine which could be used as a prime mover for micro- and mini-CHP applications with the following targets:
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Electric power output: 1-3 kW with a possibility of scaling up to few MW.
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Fuel or heat source: natural gas and concentrated solar thermal power.
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Thermal efficiency: not less than 40% of the Carnot efficiency, i.e. higher than 0.4(1-TC/TH) where TC and TH are the temperatures of the cooler and heater, respectively.
Background
Converting energy efficiently is one of the main issue tackled by the scientific and technological communities. In the last years, more efficient, environmentally acceptable energy transformation equipment suitable at different power output ranges is highly needed in view of modern trend towards a better utilization of fossil fuels and renewable energy and recovering of waste heat in industry and...
Problems and needs
PRODUCT PERFORMANCES → Energy conversion efficiency is limited by various factors, mainly for small scale products (< 100 kW).
THE NEED: improving energy conversion efficiency.
HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR HEAT ENGINE FEEDSTOCK → Heat engines have to be fed using high temperature heat in order to reach...
Consortium
The Consortium is composed by four European SMEs, vertically integrated, with the proper expertise in the technological and business topics faced in the project.
The SMEs have the common need of fostering the transition to innovative and competitive processes, and through their contacts in their sector, they have discovered the strong need for a cost effective and innovative approach that will give the market competitive benefits compared to available products.
Up-THERM engine is a novel two-phase heat engine with a single moving part-a vertical piston-that relies on the phase change of a suitable working fluid to produce reciprocating displacement and sustained thermodynamic oscillations of pressure and flow-rate which can be converted to useful work.
News
Final Meeting of the Up-THERM Project held in Rome
Rome, the 5th of June 2015.
The Final Meeting of the project was held in Rome on June 5th with the aim of providing the Consortium with updates on the results of the technical work carried out in P2 and of discussing about the final reporting procedures for completing the project activities.
First technical Meeting
Enschede, the 23th of January 2014.
The first technical meeting represents the opportunity for the RTD to have an exchange of information about the first steps of the project. The meeting was held in Enschede on 23th January 2014, hosted by the RTD performers and by the SME Encontech.
Kick-Off Meeting
Rome, the 13th of September 2013.
The Kick-Off Meeting represents the official start of the research project Up-THERM (contract number 605826) funded by the European Commission under the FP7. The meeting was held...
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Project presentation on Prezi.
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme managed by REA - Research Executive Agency, FP7/2007 - 2013 under Grant Agreement no. 605826