Power Generation via Small Length Scale Thermo-Mechanical Systems: Current Status and Challenges, a Review

Sindhu Preetham Burugupally and Leland Weiss
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Sindhu Preetham Burugupally: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67260, USA
Leland Weiss: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272, USA

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-22

Abstract: There has been significant interest and work toward the development of small length scale (micrometer to centimeter) energy conversion systems—heat engines and thermal energy harvesters—that operate on different thermal sources. Small combustion driven heat engines offer high power densities and longer operating durations, and present an opportunity to replace large and heavy chemical batteries. Thermal energy harvesters provide a great opportunity to harness the freely available thermal energy: solar, geothermal, and human body heat. These systems can contribute to significant energy savings when coupled to an existing, larger power generation system (e.g., vehicles and diesel generators) for the purpose of energy recovery. In this review, we discuss technological challenges, opportunities, and recent progress in small length scale energy conversion systems with special focus on free piston devices (engines and expanders) and phase-change driven devices. We discuss in detail four important design considerations that can have significant effect on small length scale device performance.

Keywords: power generation review; small-scale energy conversion; thermo-mechanical systems; micro-electro-mechanical systems; free piston; organic Rankine cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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