Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7158402 | Energy Conversion and Management | 2018 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to record the baseline performance of a state-of-the-art micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) system. A second goal of this work is to provide detailed thermodynamic first and second law performance measurements of the internal combustion engine and generator subsystems. A global technology survey was conducted to identify the leading mCHP systems in the 1â¯kW electric range. The Honda ECOWILL was identified as the state-of-the-art system in the United States, and an unused unit was procured. The ECOWILL underwent round-robin performance testing at three independent laboratories. First law (energy) and second law (exergy) analyses were conducted on the steady state data. Analysis revealed the ECOWILL operated at a first law electrical efficiency of 23.5â¯Â±â¯0.4% and a utilization factor of 74.5â¯Â±â¯3.2%. The primary energy loss was heat transfer from the device, followed by chemical and thermal energy in the exhaust stack. The second law analysis showed the ECOWILL operated at a second law electrical efficiency of 23.1â¯Â±â¯0.4% and total (including exergy in both the electrical and recovered waste heat streams) second law efficiency of 30.2â¯Â±â¯2.3%. Key areas of exergy destruction were, in decreasing magnitude, heat transfer, combustion irreversibility, and generator and friction losses.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Energy (General)
Authors
Zachary Taie, Brian West, James Szybist, Dean Edwards, John Thomas, Shean Huff, Gokul Vishwanathan, Christopher Hagen,