Osmotic engine converting energy from salinity difference to a hydraulic accumulator by utilizing polyelectrolyte hydrogels

Tri Quang Bui, Ole-Petter Magnussen, Vinh Duy Cao, Wei Wang, Anna-Lena Kjøniksen and Olav Aaker

Energy, 2021, vol. 232, issue C

Abstract: Efficient harvesting of the mixing energy from the salinity gradient between sea and river water remains a challenge. Recently, utilization of the swelling/shrinking properties of hydrogels has been explored as a new means for extracting this energy. However, former investigations are mainly limited to examining the performance of the hydrogels when lifting applied weights, and calculating the energy that could potentially be extracted. In this study, we demonstrate a novel osmotic engine with a mechanical energy transmission prototype, which can convert and store the green mixing energy in a form that can be utilized to perform mechanical work. The osmotic engine includes a cylinder containing the hydrogel, an oil-hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic accumulator. The lifting energy from the hydrogel is transferred to the oil-hydraulic cylinder through a lever, which acts as a pump and accumulate the hydraulic oil under high pressure in the hydraulic accumulator. The system was tested with a hydrogel of poly(acrylic acid) semi-interpenetrated with poly(4-styrenessulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) sodium. This hydrogel produced up to 36 J per shrinking/swelling cycle, and exhibited an efficiency of 0.53% at optimum conditions.

Keywords: Osmotic engine; Salinity gradient; Energy transmission; Hydrogel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:232:y:2021:i:c:s0360544221013037

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121055

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