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Energies
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Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles
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Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2024) | Viewed by 6293

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Weicong Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
Interests: advanced thermal power cycle; electrochemical based thermal cycle; medium and low temperature thermal energy harvesting and conversion
Dr. Wen Su

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: thermodynamic storage system; compressed air storage; compressed CO2 energy storage; heat pump energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Wenbin Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Unmanned System, Beihang University, 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
Interests: compressed air energy storage; high-performance compressors; fluid mechanics measurements
Dr. Lin Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510650, China
Interests: solid desiccant dehumidification cycle; solar thermal utilization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thermodynamic cycles are widely used in various engineering fields, including power generation, refrigeration, and heating. The performance of these cycles is influenced by many factors, including thermodynamic properties, fluid flow behavior, heat transfer, and system design. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the development of novel methods for optimizing the performance of thermodynamic cycles and their applications.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers and engineers to present their latest research findings, novel methods, and applications related to thermodynamic cycles. It covers topics related to the optimization, analysis, and design of thermodynamic cycles.

The topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

  • Novel methods for improving the efficiency and performance of thermodynamic cycles;
  • Optimization techniques for thermodynamic cycles, such as thermoeconomic analysis and multi-objective optimization;
  • Applications of thermodynamic cycles in power generation, refrigeration, and heating systems;
  • Advanced power cycles, such as supercritical CO2 cycles and organic Rankine cycles;
  • Thermodynamic properties and behavior of fluids used in thermodynamic cycles;
  • Heat transfer and fluid flow analysis in thermodynamic cycles;
  • System design and integration of thermodynamic cycles in energy systems.

Dr. Weicong Xu
Dr. Wen Su
Dr. Wenbin Guo
Dr. Lin Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • thermodynamic cycle
  • advanced power cycle
  • advanced refrigeration cycle
  • advanced heat pump cycle
  • thermodynamic cycle for energy storage
  • construction and analysis method
  • energy efficiency
  • exergy efficiency

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 2074 KiB  
Article
Model Predictive Control of Heat Pumps with Thermal Energy Storages in Industrial Processes
by Raphael Agner, Peter Gruber and Beat Wellig
Energies 2024, 17(19), 4823; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17194823 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Integration of heat pumps combined with thermal energy storage provides a key pathway to decarbonizing the energy supply in the industry when the processes are not operated continuously. Yet, this integration of such novel systems introduces control challenges due to added dependencies between [...] Read more.
Integration of heat pumps combined with thermal energy storage provides a key pathway to decarbonizing the energy supply in the industry when the processes are not operated continuously. Yet, this integration of such novel systems introduces control challenges due to added dependencies between different process streams. This work investigates the control problem of heat pumps coupled to stratified thermal energy storage that is integrated into non-continuous industrial processes. A two-layer control strategy is proposed, where, in the higher level, a model predictive controller is developed for energy management using a linear model of the non-linear process. The resulting optimization problem is a mixed integer quadratic program. The low-level control layer is defined with standard industry controllers. The overall system is tested using a dynamic simulation model for the entire process, demonstrating its performance in three different cases. The control strategy optimizes heat recovery while ensuring system operability. The study demonstrates successful disturbance rejection and cold starts, wherein 100% of the targeted heat recovery can be confirmed under nominal conditions. Further evaluation in laboratory or field trials is recommended, and alternative, yet-to-be-defined, control concepts may be compared to the proposed approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles)
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14 pages, 2307 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation and Working Fluid Screening of Direct Vapor Generation for Solar ORC Using Low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) Working Fluids
by Youtao Jiang, Xunda Zhang, Zhengao Zhang, Lei Hao, Zhaozhi Cao, Shuyang Li, Bowen Guo, Yawen Zheng, Chunhai Dong and Li Zhao
Energies 2024, 17(13), 3133; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133133 - 25 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1046
Abstract
Traditional working fluids used in direct vapor generation for solar organic Rankine cycle (DVG-ORC) systems have a high global warming potential (GWP), making it imperative to find environmentally friendly alternative working fluids for these systems. This paper evaluates the performance of the DVG-ORC [...] Read more.
Traditional working fluids used in direct vapor generation for solar organic Rankine cycle (DVG-ORC) systems have a high global warming potential (GWP), making it imperative to find environmentally friendly alternative working fluids for these systems. This paper evaluates the performance of the DVG-ORC system under different operating conditions. By comparing the results of traditional working fluids with those of low-GWP fluids, the feasibility of using low-GWP fluids as alternative working fluids is explored. Additionally, to screen the working fluids suitable for this system further, the system is optimized with net output power as the objective function. The results show that evaporation temperature has different impacts on system performance. R245ca and R1336mzz(Z) exhibit higher net output power at different evaporation temperatures, with R1336mzz(Z) only reducing it by 3.73–5.26% compared to R245ca. However, an increase in condensation temperature negatively affects system performance, leading to a decrease in net output power and various efficiencies. Net output power increases with an increase in mass flow rate, indicating that higher mass flow rates can enhance system performance. The optimization results show that the net output power of low-GWP working fluid R1336mzz(Z) decreases by only 3.44% compared to R245ca, which achieves the maximum net output power. Moreover, among low-GWP working fluids, R1336mzz(Z) demonstrates the highest ORC efficiency and system efficiency, making it the most suitable working fluid for the DVG-ORC system due to its environmental friendliness and safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles)
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18 pages, 4069 KiB  
Article
Performance Analysis of Wave Rotor Combustor Integration into Baseline Engines: A Comparative Study of Pressure-Gain and Work Cycles
by Renchuan Zheng, Erlei Gong, Jianzhong Li, Qian Yao and Zhaolong Nie
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2074; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092074 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1050
Abstract
This study presents two concepts for integrating a wave rotor combustor (WRC) into a baseline engine: the wave rotor pressure-gain cycle (WRPGC) and the wave rotor work cycle (WRWC). Performance parameters were calculated under different thermodynamic cycles, and a comparative analysis of the [...] Read more.
This study presents two concepts for integrating a wave rotor combustor (WRC) into a baseline engine: the wave rotor pressure-gain cycle (WRPGC) and the wave rotor work cycle (WRWC). Performance parameters were calculated under different thermodynamic cycles, and a comparative analysis of the thermodynamic cycles was conducted, considering both the ideal- and actual-loss conditions. Furthermore, the impact of the WRC precompression ratio, turbine inlet temperature, and fixed peak cycle temperature on the thermodynamic-cycle performance was investigated. The results indicate that embedding a WRC into a baseline engine with a compressor pressure ratio higher than 24.0 does not lead to an improvement in the thermal efficiency. However, under a baseline engine pressure ratio of 3.6, the actual-loss WRC cycle achieves efficiency improvements of 40.5% and 49.5% in the WRPGC and WRWC, respectively, compared to the baseline engine cycle. Increasing the wave rotor precompression ratio or the turbine inlet temperature ratio results in greater performance improvements for the WRWC compared to the WRPGC. When the peak cycle temperature of the wave rotor is fixed, there exists a narrow pressure ratio range wherein the WRPGC outperforms the WRWC. Therefore, the WRPGC is more suitable for embedment in baseline engines with lower pressure ratios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles)
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24 pages, 27974 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation on the Performance of the Scroll Expander under Various Driving Cycles
by Hailong Yang, Yonghong Xu, Xiaohui Zhong, Jiajun Zeng and Fubin Yang
Energies 2024, 17(2), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020433 - 16 Jan 2024
Viewed by 926
Abstract
Energy storage is considered a crucial unit in utilizing renewable energy sources, and compressed air energy storage (CAES) provides a cost-effective solution. It offers the benefits of zero pollution, a long lifespan, low maintenance costs, and minimal environmental impact. In order to increase [...] Read more.
Energy storage is considered a crucial unit in utilizing renewable energy sources, and compressed air energy storage (CAES) provides a cost-effective solution. It offers the benefits of zero pollution, a long lifespan, low maintenance costs, and minimal environmental impact. In order to increase the possibilities of compressed air energy storage for vehicle power, the performance of the expander needs to be studied. First, a CAES unit test bench is established. Then, the volumetric flow rate, rotational speed, torque, and output power are examined. Additionally, the isentropic exhaust temperature, pressure, and gas consumption rate of the scroll expander are analyzed. Finally, analyzing the economic feasibility of the CAES unit entails running the unit under varied driving conditions. Results reveal that the pressure of the input expander is high, which will lead to greater torque, greater peak power, and a greater temperature drop, but the gas in the air tank will also run out quickly. The peak power of the scroll expander does not occur at the maximum volume flow rate, rotation speed, and torque. The basic investment of the CAES unit mainly depends on the peak output power. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles)
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18 pages, 4962 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Energy Consumption via an Equivalent Thermal Resistance-Capacitance Model for a Northern Rural Residence
by Ligai Kang, Hao Li, Zhichao Wang, Jinzhu Wang, Dongxiang Sun and Yang Yang
Energies 2023, 16(23), 7835; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16237835 - 29 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 950
Abstract
To achieve the goal of carbon peaking, it is crucial to reduce both carbon emissions and energy consumption during the operational stage of residential buildings. This paper proposed a method for assessing carbon emissions and energy consumption for an energy system utilized in [...] Read more.
To achieve the goal of carbon peaking, it is crucial to reduce both carbon emissions and energy consumption during the operational stage of residential buildings. This paper proposed a method for assessing carbon emissions and energy consumption for an energy system utilized in a rural residence. First, an equivalent thermal resistance-capacitance model for a rural residence was established. The parameters of thermal resistance and capacitance were optimized based on the data collected from an operating air source heat pump heating system. On this basis, the energy consumption was derived, and it was compared with real consumption. Then, a method of estimating house energy consumption index per unit area under specified weather conditions was proposed. Finally, the carbon emissions of three heating types—heating driven by air source heat pump, gas boiler, and coal boiler—were compared. Results showed that the derived energy consumption index per unit area was 46.77 W/m2. The carbon emissions of the air source heat pump were 1406.1 kgCO2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles)
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Review

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20 pages, 3312 KiB  
Review
Enhancing Thermal Performance of Thermodynamic Cycle through Zeotropic Mixture Composition Regulation: An Overview
by Kunteng Huang, Weicong Xu, Shuai Deng, Jianyuan Zhang, Ruihua Chen and Li Zhao
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1769; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071769 - 8 Apr 2024
Viewed by 993
Abstract
Composition regulation of zeotropic mixture working fluid for a thermodynamic cycle is an effective way to improve energy conversion efficiency, which offers the potential to construct efficient, flexible and intelligent cycles. Current research on cycle construction of zeotropic mixture composition regulation still heavily [...] Read more.
Composition regulation of zeotropic mixture working fluid for a thermodynamic cycle is an effective way to improve energy conversion efficiency, which offers the potential to construct efficient, flexible and intelligent cycles. Current research on cycle construction of zeotropic mixture composition regulation still heavily relies on construction methods using pure working fluids, where the characteristics of flexible composition variations fail to be utilized. In this paper, the research progress of cycle construction methods and composition regulated structures are comprehensively reviewed, aiming to clarify the potential for enhancing a thermodynamic cycle based on composition regulation. The characteristics of different cycle construction methods are firstly summarized and compared. Then, the composition-regulated structures of a physical-based method and chemical-based method are introduced, and the composition regulation performance are also concluded. Finally, a future outlook on the cycle design and structure design is provided. The review results show that the combination of 3D construction method and superstructure/intelligences construction method has the potential to maximize the cycle performance, where the improvement of each thermal process and the optimization of complex cycles can be considered simultaneously. The composition regulation based on a passive physical method has the advantage of being readily applicable; however, the composition regulation range is limited. In addition, the distillation and hydrate method have a wider regulation range through extra energy input, where the trade-off between energy consumption and cycle performance improvement should be considered in the future. This study greatly assists in the design of thermodynamic cycles involving zeotropic mixture composition regulation and the corresponding composition regulation structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Method, Optimization and Applications of Thermodynamic Cycles)
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