Study on Performance of a Modified Two-Stage Piston Expander Based on Spray Heat Transfer

Qihui Yu (), Xiaodong Li, Zhigang Wei, Guoxin Sun and Xin Tan
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Qihui Yu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou 014010, China
Xiaodong Li: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou 014010, China
Zhigang Wei: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou 014010, China
Guoxin Sun: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou 014010, China
Xin Tan: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou 014010, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: To fully use high-pressure air, the two-stage piston expander (TSPE) has been widely studied. The following factors obstruct the use of the TSPE: A high expansion ratio will inevitably result in a lower air temperature in the cylinder, causing adverse effects such as ice blockage and lubricating oil freezing; the residual air from the I-stage cylinder will all flow into the II-stage cylinder, causing a large reverse force to the I-stage piston during the working process. To address the above problems, a modified two-stage piston expander (M-TSPE) based on spray heat transfer is proposed. Firstly, the working principle of the M-TSPE is introduced, followed by the construction of a mathematical model of the M-TSPE. Secondly, the valve-timing of the M-TSPE is determined and compared with the output power and efficiency of the TSPE. The output power and efficiency of the M-TSPE are increased by 57.58% and 13.28%, respectively. Then, the performance parameters of the M-TSPE with and without spray are compared and analyzed. Finally, parameter analysis is carried out on the air/water mass ratio and water mist particle size. Results show that when the intake pressure and load torque are set to 3 MPa and 150 N·m, respectively, the output power of the M-TSPE without spray is 14.22 kW and the output power of the M-TSPE with spray is 16.08 kW, which is a 13.08% increase in output power. The average air temperatures in the I-stage cylinder of the M-TSPE with and without spray are 321 K and 263 K, respectively, and the average air temperature in the I-stage cylinder is enhanced by 58 K. The output performance of the M-TSPE can be improved by increasing the mass ratio of the water mist in the cylinder and decreasing the particle size of the water mist.

Keywords: two-stage piston expander; spray heat transfer; high expansion ratio; output power; air temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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