Modelling of two-phase expansion in a reciprocating expander

Autor: Xander van Heule, Anastasios Skiadopoulos, Dimitris Manolakos, Michel De Paepe, Steven Lecompte
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
ISSN: 1359-4311
1873-5606
Popis: Two-phase expansion devices can be applied in a multitude of cycles which allow for an increase of the overall system efficiency in currently used heat and power cycles. The expanders that are mainly investigated for the purpose of two-phase expansion are the Lysholm and the reciprocating expanders. From these two, the reciprocating expander is challenging to model as there is a need to describe the non-equilibrium state of the phases during the expansion process. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap that exists for two-phase reciprocating expanders, by constructing a predictive model to describe the expansion process and the non -equilibrium phenomena occurring. The simulation framework makes use of a modified homogeneous relaxation model to describe the thermal non-equilibrium between the phases within the isolated working chamber. The model results are verified and compared to experimental data in literature with water as working fluid. Subsequently, Cyclopentane is selected as a more suitable candidate and a thorough analysis is presented. The simulation results predict a 15% lower work and a 10% higher mass intake per stroke of the expander compared to equilibrium working conditions.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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