A Novel Non-Intrusive Vibration Energy Harvesting Method for Air Conditioning Compressor Unit

Abstract

The purpose of harvesting vibration energy is to obtain clean and sustainable energy by converting vibration energy from ambient sources into a voltage output. In this work, a piezoelectric sensor, PZT-5H is attached to a 3D printed and custom-made mounting to be placed at an air conditioning condenser unit, to harvest vibration energy. The configuration of the harvester is non-intrusive, in which the harvester did not intrude into compressor unit operation. Temperature (20 °C, 22 °C, and 24 °C) and air volume flow rates (3 levels of air volume flow rate at 245 L/second, 274 L/second, and 297 L/second) were taken into consideration in this investigation. An accelerometer was first used to investigate the optimum vibration frequency in Hertz, and six locations were identified. Next, the piezoelectric sensor was mounted at these six locations, and the output root-mean-square (RMS) voltage from the piezoelectric sensor was obtained. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that temperature and air volume flow rates factors were significant. It was found that the location identified with the highest amount of vibration at 830.2 Hz from accelerometer measurement, was also the highest amount of RMS voltage, at 510.82 mV, harvested by the piezoelectric, from the temperature of 20 °C and air volume flow rates at high level (air flow volume flow rate at 297 L/second). From this work, it is feasible to utilize this novel method of harvesting waste vibration energy from the air conditioning compressor unit.

Vibration Analysis of a Twin-Screw Compressor as a Potential Source for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

“…Secondly, on the compressor, we will use a magnetic mount, which is a much stronger and rigid clamping. According to relation (6), the stiffness constant k is given by the clamping method, and for tuning the frequency, a tip mass will be added. The necessary mass will be established manually on the compressor by successive tries until we record an increase in the piezoelectric response, indicating that we are approaching resonance.…”

“…Other papers aim to increase the power output in laboratory conditions or address structural changes to the harvesters in FEM (Finite Element Method) simulations. However, only some scientific articles in the literature address the source's potential [3][4][5][6]. Dealing with piezoelectric harvesters (PEH), especially their need to operate at resonance frequency, may be easy to achieve in laboratory setups.…”

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of a Compressive-Mode Hull Piezoelectric Energy Harvester under Impact Force

“…In this evolving landscape, a promising green technology has emerged, capitalizing on the ability of piezoelectric materials to convert mechanical energy from various vibrational sources into electricity with improved sustainability [5,6]. These sources of vibration can be as diverse as human motions [7], such as foot strikes in shoes [8] or floor tiles [9,10], to vehicular movements on roadways [11,12], railway vibrations [13], and even vibrations from household appliances such as air conditioners [14] or from rotating machines via rolling element bearings [15] and shafts to achieve self-powered sensor networks [16]. Innovatively, some applications have even integrated with fluid flows found in wind [17] or water pipes [18].…”

Potential of Twin-Screw Compressor as Vibration Source for Energy Harvesting Applications

“…Harnessing energy from industrial machinery offers the challenge for conducting research in the field, exploiting inherent vibration and heating effects [6], since this type of energy generation technology is actively developing at the present moment and has a long way until reaching a satisfying technological maturity [7].…”