Master’s dissertation (Dissertations and theses)
Design and fabrication of a variable wall thickness two-stage scroll expander to be integrated in a micro-solar power plant
Dickes, Rémi
2013
 

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Keywords :
concentrated solar power; ORC; scroll expander
Abstract :
[en] Improving access to energy in developing countries without exacerbating climate change requires novel technical strategies. MicroCSP power plants using organic Rankine cycles (ORCs) are one example of a promising approach for meeting this challenge. Specifically, expander development has been identified as a critical component for enhancing the performances of small ORC units. The goal of this project is to develop an optimized two-stage scroll expander to be integrated in a MicroCSP power plant designed to supply remote, off-grid areas. The expansion requirements are firstly defined so as to meet production specifications. Then, employing a deterministic model and a selection process, optimal scroll geometries are chosen for both expansion stages. The deterministic model is executed with Matlab and accounts for the relevant physical phenomena i.e. radial and flank leakages, throttling losses at the intake and exhaust processes, friction between the two scrolls and mechanical losses in the different bearings. A performance enhancement of about 6\% of the isentropic efficiency is predicted in comparison with baseline practice. A CAD model of a single-stage prototype is developed in Solidworks following the main architectural features of a compliant HVAC scroll compressor. This CAD is updated and improved with the optimal scroll geometries and some parts are 3D printed to verify their mechanical assembly. Toolpaths to control CNC machines are generated using the CAM program HSMXpress and the parts constituting the expander prototype are manufactured in a machine shop. In conclusion, the properties of the enhanced scroll expander are evaluated in the context of a typical Micro-CSP plant. A simple steady state model in EES is developed to quantify how three parameters (T_ev, T_cond and eta_exp) influence the power plant overall sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency (a gain of 0.73% is predicted). This project underscores the importance of optimizing the expansion process and identifies further research pathways to progress towards this goal.
Disciplines :
Energy
Author, co-author :
Dickes, Rémi ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Systèmes énergétiques
Language :
English
Title :
Design and fabrication of a variable wall thickness two-stage scroll expander to be integrated in a micro-solar power plant
Defense date :
2013
Number of pages :
124
Institution :
ULiège - Université de Liège
Degree :
Master ingénieur électromécanicien
Promotor :
Quoilin, Sylvain  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Aérospatiale et Mécanique (A&M)
Commentary :
Travail réalisé dans le cadre d'un partenariat entre l'ULg, l'ONG STG International et le Massachusetts Insitute of Technology.
Available on ORBi :
since 31 December 2013

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