Energy Analysis and Verification of a Constant-Pressure Elastic-Strain Energy Accumulator Based on Exergy Method

Hongwang Du, Xin Bian and Wei Xiong ()
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Hongwang Du: Ship Electromechanical Equipment Institute, Dalian Maritime University, Room 312-2, Mechanical and Electrical Building, No.1 Linghai Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, China
Xin Bian: Ship Electromechanical Equipment Institute, Dalian Maritime University, Room 312-2, Mechanical and Electrical Building, No.1 Linghai Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, China
Wei Xiong: Ship Electromechanical Equipment Institute, Dalian Maritime University, Room 312-2, Mechanical and Electrical Building, No.1 Linghai Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Focusing on the low energy-storage efficiency and unstable energy output of existing accumulators, this paper proposes a novel constant-pressure elastic-strain energy accumulator based on the rubber material hyperelastic effect. The proposed accumulator can store and release energy at a constant pressure. Based on the exergy analysis method, the charging/discharging energy storage efficiency of a constant-pressure elastic-strain energy accumulator was analyzed. Then, the Mullins effect on the rubber airbag over multiple charging/discharging cycles was studied. Finally, a test platform was established to verify the energy storage efficiency, as well as the expansion and contraction pressure stability of the rubber accumulator during charging/discharging cycles. The experimental results showed that the energy storage efficiency calculation by the exergy analysis method was more accurate compared with the enthalpy analysis method. In tests with more than 200 cycles, the rubber airbag energy storage efficiency was always higher than 76%, and the expansion and contraction pressure errors at a steady state were less than 2.92 and 1.79 kPa, respectively. The results showed that the rubber airbag could be used as an effective energy storage component, which is very meaningful for energy recovery in pneumatic or hydraulic systems.

Keywords: strain energy accumulator; exergy analysis; energy storage efficiency; constant-pressure energy supply; Mullins effect (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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