Many characteristics of traditional engines make them attractive for use in power generation and propulsion technology. They tend to be self-aspirating and rely on combustion, which at the macroscale is a very robust form of heat generation. Fuel is plentiful and inexpensive, with storage easily realized. The energy density of the fuel (or fuel plus container), when compared with electrochemical sources, is high. Along with these advantages come a number of drawbacks, especially where miniaturization is concerned. For example, an engine is thermodynamically restricted (by the Carnot efficiency) in its conversion of chemical energy to work due to the intermediate heat-generating step. (more…)
Heat-actuated heat pumps are cooling systems requiring no electricity for operation. Rather, a heat source is used, avoiding the ne ...
Hydrogen has many applications when it comes to fuel. It can be used both in internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells. ...
Microtechnology-Based Energy and Chemical Systems will most likely employ combustion for driving processes such as vapor generation ...
The product gas can be burned in boilers to generate heat and raise steam, in internal combustion engines to generate electricity a ...
Micro technology can be employed to produce miniaturized refrigeration and cryocooling systems. Although process intensificat ...
Micro technology can be employed to produce miniaturized refrigeration and cryocooling systems. Although process intensification is typically the route used for miniaturization, micro technology can also be used for reducing the size of mechanical components that are necessary for operation. For example, to create a small-scale vapor compression refrigerator, (more…)
Many small-scale energy systems require effective miniaturized pumps and expanders. These devices are responsible for conveying ...
The most fundamental process from an energy systems standpoint is heat transfer to (or from) a working fluid. This unit operation t ...
Many characteristics of traditional engines make them attractive for use in power generation and propulsion technology. They tend t ...
Heat-actuated heat pumps are cooling systems requiring no electricity for operation. Rather, a heat source is used, avoiding the ne ...
Microtechnology-Based Energy and Chemical Systems will most likely employ combustion for driving processes such as vapor generation ...
