BMT-CES: Biofuel Micro-Trigeneration with Cryogenic Energy Storage
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: NIRES Newcastle Inst for Res on Env &Sus
Abstract
This proposal is concerned with developing a trigeneration system (power, heat and refrigeration) which is fuelled by renewable fuels and can be used in the domestic environment or scaled up to be used in larger, industrial based environments. The system would allow heat, power and refrigeration to be produced locally, where it is needed, using a novel energy storage system and a novel control and optimisation system to produce high efficiency operation.A power generator will be used to generate power using renewable fuels (biofuels). Waste heat from the generator would be collected and used to supply heating and hot water. The waste heat would also be utilised to drive an absorption/adsorption refrigerator. Off peak electricity energy generated but not used will be stored in the electrical storage systemThe project will link together specialised personnel in the UK and China who have the critical expertise necessary to bring together all aspects of this challenging project. The project will also benefit research links between the UK and China. There is substantial potential demand for the system in the UK, China and other parts of the world as the results would provide benefits to government, academia, manufacturers and consumers.
Publications
Chen X
(2012)
A domestic CHP system with hybrid electrical energy storage
in Energy and Buildings
Huang J
(2010)
Comparative study of performance and emissions of a diesel engine using Chinese pistache and jatropha biodiesel
in Fuel Processing Technology
Huang J
(2011)
Experimental study of the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine using direct and indirect injection systems and different fuels
in Fuel Processing Technology
Huang Y
(2011)
Biomass fuelled trigeneration system in selected buildings
in Energy Conversion and Management
Wang Y
(2011)
An investigation of a household size trigeneration running with hydrogen
in Applied Energy
Wang Y
(2010)
Trigeneration running with raw jatropha oil
in Fuel Processing Technology
Wang Y
(2013)
Modelling and simulation of a distributed power generation system with energy storage to meet dynamic household electricity demand
in Applied Thermal Engineering
Wu D
(2015)
Phase change material thermal storage for biofuel preheating in micro trigeneration application: A numerical study
in Applied Energy
| Description | The project team successfully developed a trigeneration system (combined power, heat and refrigeration) which is fuelled by straight (unprocessed) plant oils (sunflower, rapeseed, jatropha and croton), to produce the first generation of a Biofuel Micro Trigeneration (BMT) prototype for use in the domestic environment and with the possibility to be scaled up for larger commercial and industrial applications. The system allows distributed heat, power and refrigeration, coupled to a hybrid electrical energy storage system and a Siemens SCADA system to achieve optimisation of energy distribution at high operational efficiency. The compression ignition engine generator modified for the BMT produces power using renewable fuels. The advantage of being able to use straight plant oils is that minimal embedded energy and waste products are associated with its production and use. Waste heat from the engine is recovered and used to supply heating and hot water. The waste heat is also utilised to drive a diffusion type absorption refrigerator (working fluid: ammonia/water solution). Optimisation of fuel efficiency involves the storage of electricity at periods of low electrical demand and to be discharged when required. This has been achieved by developing an advanced control system to ensure the engine operates at high load for the shortest period possible and thereby minimising fuel use and exhaust gas emissions. Detailed studies have been made of the system performance, fuel properties and also the nature and potential health impacts of the exhaust gas emissions for each oil type. The project included collaboration between researchers in the UK and China who have the critical expertise necessary to address all aspects of this challenging project. The project established strong research links between the UK and China through many research exchange visits, workshops and conferences and resulted in a number of joint publications. There is substantial potential demand for the system in the UK, China and other parts of the world and the project team is continuing to explore the potential commercialisation of the system through Newcastle University Research and Enterprise team and other channels. The project results will benefit academia, manufacturers and consumers, decision makes etc., and through commercialisation these benefits would be maximised. |
| Exploitation Route | The system developed could be used in both domestic environments or scaled up to be utilised in larger, industrial settings. The project team is continuing to explore the potential of commercialisation of the system via university business development team and other channels. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Description | The trigeneration (combined heat, power and refrigeration) system developed is fuelled by unprocessed plant oils and coupled to an energy storage system. The key project impact is the development of a first generation, prototype system which provides heat, power and refrigeration system which provides heat, power and refrigeration locally, utilises waste heat from the system and stores electricity generated.The project has potential for commercialisation and further research. The project, undertaken collaboratively with China, has resulted in a collaborative, long term research relationships with leading Chinese research institutions. |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | Building Management linking Energy Demand, Distributed Conversion and Storage using Dynamic Modelling and a Pervasive Sensor Infrastructure |
| Amount | £606,679 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/I000755/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2010 |
| End | 09/2013 |
| Description | CHP, Trigeneration and Energy Storage |
| Amount | £314,629 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE005165 |
| Organisation | One NorthEast - EU |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2009 |
| End | 06/2012 |
| Description | CHP, Trigeneration and Energy Storage |
| Amount | £314,629 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE005165 |
| Organisation | One NorthEast - EU |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2009 |
| End | 06/2012 |
| Description | Dual fuel CHP system using renewable fuels |
| Amount | £47,772 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 90804 |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2009 |
| End | 04/2012 |
| Description | Dual fuel CHP system using renewable fuels |
| Amount | £47,772 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 90804 |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2009 |
| End | 04/2012 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £102,988 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/I027904/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2011 |
| End | 12/2013 |
| Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account 'Seed Corn Fund' Application |
| Amount | £11,946 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2014 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Description | GLOBAL-SECURE |
| Amount | £488,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/K004689/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2012 |
| End | 03/2013 |
| Description | Inomanship |
| Amount | £362,967 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 266082 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 05/2011 |
| End | 04/2014 |
| Description | Inomanship |
| Amount | £362,967 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 266082 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 05/2011 |
| End | 04/2014 |
| Description | LH Cogen |
| Amount | £102,988 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/I027904/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2011 |
| End | 12/2013 |
| Description | O2 Oxygen Enrichment for Micro CHP Boiler Units |
| Amount | £36,647 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 102109 |
| Organisation | Parker Hannifin Corporation |
| Department | Parker Hannifin Plc |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2010 |
| End | 03/2011 |
| Description | O2 Oxygen Enrichment for Micro CHP Boiler Units |
| Amount | £36,647 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 102109 |
| Organisation | Parker Hannifin Corporation |
| Department | Parker Hannifin Plc |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2010 |
| End | 07/2011 |
| Description | Tefles |
| Amount | £262,174 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 266126 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 02/2011 |
| End | 01/2014 |
| Description | Tefles |
| Amount | £262,174 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 266126 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 02/2011 |
| End | 01/2014 |
| Title | Provision of equipment for BMT-CES testing bench |
| Description | Equipment funded as a result of EPSRC further funding. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Description | Collaboration with Guangxi University |
| Organisation | Guangxi University |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collatoration with Guangxi University has resulted in secondment of an academic member of staff from Guangxi to Newcastle for several months, joint publications and further funding (GLOBAL-SECURE project). 2 month visit by Professor Jincheng Huang, contribution to publications and contribution to further funding project. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Collaboration with IET, China |
| Organisation | Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Department | Institute of Engineering Thermophysics |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, part of the Chinese Academy of Science, has resulted in joint publications in journals. Contribution to project and publications. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Collaboration with Shanghai Jiaotong University |
| Organisation | Shanghai Jiao Tong University |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project collaboration has resulted in a number of joint journal publications and further funding (GLOBAL-SECURE project). Shanghai Jiaotong University personnel have attended meetings in the UK, provided data and resources and co-authored a number of publications published in high impact journals or at prestigious international conferences. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Poster and presentation at Beacon North East event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | Beacon North East is part of the National Beacons for Public Engagement inititative. Project introduction and poster presented at event to general public as part of a University open day for National Science and Engineering week. Poster and presentation delivered |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Project Presentation delivered at EPSRC Energy Network meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Project presentation delivered at EPSRC Energy Network meeting held at Cranfield University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Trigeneration system workshop - hosted by IES in China |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | Presentations delivered on project to project partners and Chinese companies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |