Modeling and Testing a Screw Expander Integrated into a Trilateral Flash Cycle

Abstract

Trilateral Flash Cycle (TFC) is particularly suitable for recovering energy from low-grade heat source. This paper presented a new mathematical model for calculating the performance of a twin screw expander integrated into a TFC working with organic components. The geometric parameters related to the rotation angle of male rotor e.g. groove volume, suction and discharge port area, leakage area etc were used in the model. The combination effects of internal leakage through five paths, oil injection, gas-oil heat transfer and refrigerant property were taken into account. The sensitivity of single parameter was also analyzed. To verify the model and the calculated p-φ indicator diagram, experimental recording of the diagram of twin screw expander was performed. The results of theoretical calculation were in good agreement with the experimental data, which indicated that the model in the present paper could be used as a powerful tool for performance prediction and product development.

Screw Expander for Waste Heat Utilization in Heating Furnace

“…Because of the less energy loss, it has the higher heat efficiency always between 65% and 75%. [1] Screw expander contains positive and negative screw rotors, outer covering, bearing and seal up device. Waste heat steam or gas-liquid two-phase mixture enters key wall, pushes two screw rotors rotate in the opposite direction, then heat energy transfers into mechanical energy.…”

“…There is a small gap approximate 0.05 to 0.1mm between outer covering and rotors or rotor clearance. This facility can run efficiently at vast scale variation of heat source parameters [1,2]…”

Thermodynamic performance simulation and design optimisation of trilateral-cycle engines for waste heat recovery-to-power generation

“…There are limited numbers of published works in the literature on the TLC technology for waste heat recovery-to-power generation, which can typically be categorised into the following: development of simple TLC [1,28,29], two-phase expanders modelling and design [30][31][32], working fluids selection [6,33,34], modelling and process simulation of the TLC [12,35,36] and applications of the TLC [37][38][39]. A review of the relevant studies in the literature highlighted the need for research and development of the TLC technology for waste heat recovery-to-power generation using unconventional working fluid.…”