Turbines, Engines, and Fuel Cells

(and also Thermoelectrics!)

Technology of Energy
Seminar 3

Presented by Alex Dolgonos and Jonathan E. Pfluger

1
 Thermoelectric Materials

Jonathan E. Pfluger

2
Why Energy?

3 1. https://www.llnl.gov/news/americans-using-more-energy-
according-lawrence-livermore-analysis
Energy Lost is a Big Deal
 2004 – U.S. DOE1
 Almost 2 Quads of energy could be recovered from industrial
heat waste
 50-60% of energy is rejected
 55 Quads = 58 EJ = 482.6 BILLION gallons of gas
 1526 gallons for each American
 36.35 barrels/person at $53/barrel = $1926

4 1. Pellegrino J. et al., ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency

in Industry, ACEEE/DOE (2004)
What about the environment?

5
What are Thermoelectric Generators?
 Convert heat directly to
electricity
 Applications in:
 Power generation
 Solid-state refrigeration
 Solid-state heating
 Benefits: Wikimedia Commons

 Modular devices  Disadvantages:

 Small form factors  Low efficiencies
 No moving parts  Toxic elements
 Expensive/rare elements

6
Applications
 Power Generation
 Radioisotope Thermal Generators
 Waste Heat Recovery
 Consumer
 Geothermal
 Active Cooling/Warming
 Localized Cooling
 CPUs
 Biological Specimens

7
Extraterrestrial Applications

8 1. Google Image Search (left to right): Voyager 1, Mars

Curiosity
Extraterrestrial Applications

9 1. http://thermoelectrics.matsci.northwestern.edu/ther
moelectrics/history.html
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
(RTG)

10 1. Google Image Search (left to right): Radioisotope

thermoelectric generator
Terrestrial Applications

11 1. Google Image Search (clockwise from top left): Thermoelectric

power, Power pot, Thermoelectric car, Seiko Thermic
Seebeck Effect

Material A
Vab
α=
ΔT

T T + T

Material B Material B
V

12
 TE Couple and Module

Heat Source Active Cooling

P N P N

Heat Sink Heat Rejection

I I
Power Generation Mode Cooling Mode

Operating Modes of a
Thermoelectric Couple
Modules
T. M. Tritt, Science 31, 1276 (1996) www.marlow.com

13
 Improving Thermoelectrics Through Phase
Separation

S 2
 Figure of Merit : ZT  T
e  l

 High Seebeck coefficient α/S: Energy per K (μV/K)

 High electrical conductivity σ
 Low thermal conductivity κl

14
Balance of Parameters

15 1. Snyder, Nature 7, 105 (2008)

Typical Materials

16 1. Snyder, Nature 7, 105 (2008)

 Areas of Research
 Bulk
 Easily scalable
 Methodic progress
 Nano
 Novel properties
 Maximum manipulation of scientific theory
 Organic/Oxide
 Advantageous properties
 Earth-abundant materials
 Form factor

17
Recent Advancements
 Northwestern – SnSe1
 ZT ~ 2.6 at 923 K

 Caltech – PbTe2
 ZT ~ 1.8 for PbTe1-xSex

18 1) Zhao, L.D. et al., Nature 508, 373 (2014)

2) Pei, Y.Z. et al., Nature 473, 66 (2011)
Cost Prohibits Breadth

19 1. S. LeBlanc et al., Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Reviews 32, 313 (2014)
Scale-Up Concerns

20
Outlook
 Thermoelectric modules show potential
 Efficiency concerns for widespread use
 Materials concerns
 Abundancy
 Cost

21 1. Vining, C.B., Nature Materials 8, 83 (2009)

Questions?

22 1. Google Image Search (left to right): European Telco

Orange Power Wellies, Power Felt
 Improving the ZT of PbTe
(1)
 Na added to dope
PbTe p-type
Adding
Na
 PbS nanostructures are (2)
formed in PbTe by
phase separation

 Nanostructures (3) (4)

improve ZT by Adding
reducing κlat PbS

23 1) Pei, et al., Eng. Environ. Sci. (2011). 3) Girard, et al., Nano Lett. (2010).
2) Leute and Volkmer, Z. Phys. Chem. (1985). 4) Girard, et al., JACS (2011).
24
Turbines, Engines, and Fuel Cells

Alex Dolgonos

25
Alternator
 Mechanical Energy  Electrical Energy
 Faraday’s Law of Induction

# of Coils

d B
  N
dt
Generated
Voltage Rate of Change in
Magnetic Flux
26
Carnot Engine

27
Carnot Engine
Hot Reservoir
(T = THot)
Heat In
Useful Work TCold
Efficiency  1 
Magic Box THot
Heat Out

Cold Reservoir
(T = TCold)
28
Pressure-Volume Diagram

29
Power Cycles
 Rankine Cycle (steam turbines)

 Brayton Cycle (gas turbines)

 Combined Cycle (both!)

30
Rankine Cycle (Steam)

1. Pump

2. Boiler

3. Turbine

4. Condenser

31
Improvements

32
Brayton Cycle (Gas)

33
Gas Turbine Schematic

34 1. http://cset.mnsu.edu/engagethermo/components_gas
turbine.html
Regeneration

1. http://www.wiley.com/college/moran/CL_047146570
35 4_S/user/tutorials/tutorial9/tut9n_parent.html
Combined Cycle

36 1. http://www.pandafunds.com/assets/img/combined_cy
cle_layout_diagram.jpg
 Combined Cycle
1. Fresh air intake
2. Combustor
3. Air compressor
4. Expansion gas turbine
5. Generator
6. Turbine exhaust
7. HRSG
8. Exhaust stack
9. Superheated steam
10. Steam turbine
11. Transformer
12. Electrical grid
13. Steam condenser
14. Cooling tower
15. Boiler feed water pump
16. Boiler feed water
17. Natural gas fuel

37
Projections
 Coal: 37%32%  Natural gas: 30%35%

38
 Jet Turbine (Turbofan)

A. Low pressure spool

B. High pressure spool
C. Stationary components

1. Nacelle
2. Fan
3. Low pressure compressor
4. High pressure compressor
5. Combustion chamber
6. High pressure turbine
7. Low pressure turbine
8. Core nozzle
9. Fan nozzle

39
Rolls Royce Trent 900

40
Turbine Blade Technology

 2500°F!!!
 Nickel-based superalloys
 Thermal barrier coatings
 Processing improvements
 Cooling

41
Internal Combustion Engines
 Standard 4-stroke engine

 Diesel engine

 Surprise engine

42
Otto Cycle

Intake
Compression
Power
Exhaust

43
Partial Power Problem

44
Partial Power Problem

45
Partial Power Problem

 Power is controlled by throttle opening

 Lower power
 Higher vacuum
 Lower efficiency
 Solutions
 Smaller engine
 Turbochargers
 HEVs
 Deactivation of cylinders
 More gears or CVT

46
Running Lean

47
Diesel Engines

 No spark required—fuel  High T for self-ignition

injection  More particulates
 No partial power problem  More NOX
 Particulate filters
 Catalytic reducers
 NOX adsorbers
 Low-sulfur fuel (clean diesel)

48 1. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/290504/i
nternal-combustion-engine
49
Case Study: Wankel (Rotary) Engine

 Fewer moving parts

 High reliability
 High power:weight

 Sealing problems
 Lower fuel efficiency
 Lubricating oil—higher
running costs

50
Wave Disk Engine

 Spinning motion causes

shock waves

 Shock waves cause

combustion

 Combustion drives blades

51 1. http://pesn.com/2011/04/14/9501810_Wave_Disk_E
ngine_Sips_Fuel/
Wave Disk Engine

52
Fuel Cells

2H 2  O2  2H 2O  ENERGY
e e e e

e e
H H
O
H H
O O2-

O O2-
e e
H
H
O
H
H
Cathode Electrolyte Anode
53
 Fuel Cells
 No combustion  Where does the H2 gas come
 Not limited to Carnot from?
efficiency  Methane gas
 No moving turbine engines  Water splitting
 Maximum efficiency = 83%  Plant-to-wheel efficiency
 Fuel cell vehicles  22% (compressed H2)
 Tank-to-wheel efficiency = 45%  17% (liquid H2)

54 54
Brett, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 37 (1568-1578) 2008
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
x  x
CH x    1O2  CO2  H 2O  ENERGY
4  2
 High Efficiency
 Solid State
 No Moving Parts
 High Temp (800-1000 °C)
 Fuel flexibility
 Expensive materials
 Quicker degradation
 Need materials with high
conductivity at lower temp

55
Case Study:
 Solid oxide fuel cells
 76 patents
 Electrode and electrolyte materials
 Interconnects
 Device architecture
 $400 million in VC funding
 50% efficient
 8.6 years break even period

56
Case Study:

57
 Questions?
100%

90%

80%
83%
70%
Conversion Efficiency

60%
60%
50%

40%
40% 42%
30%

20%
19%
10%

0%
Internal Gas Turbine Steam Turbine Combined Cycle Fuel Cell
Combustion Engine

58
59
Alternator
 Mechanical Energy  Electrical Energy
 Faraday’s Law of Induction

# of Coils

d B
  N
dt
Generated
Voltage Rate of Change in
Magnetic Flux
60
Rimac Automobili: 877 hp, 115 kg

61
Rimac Automobili: Concept_One

1088 hp
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 s

62