Investigation on a ventilation heat recovery exchanger: Modeling and experimental validation in dry and partially wet conditions

in Energy & Buildings (2013), 62

The present paper focuses on the development and experimental validation of a model of air-to-air heat exchanger dedicated to domestic mechanical heat recovery ventilation. The proposed model describes ... [more ▼]

The present paper focuses on the development and experimental validation of a model of air-to-air heat exchanger dedicated to domestic mechanical heat recovery ventilation. The proposed model describes dry and partially wet regimes. The first part of the paper presents a semi-empirical model based on the physical characteristics of the heat recovery device and relying on empirical correlations available in the literature for the convective heat transfer coefficients. In the case of partially wet regime, a moving boundary model is applied in order to predict sensible and latent heat transfer rates. A model developed with friction factor coefficients estimated by correlations from the literature is also presented in order to predict the hydraulic performance in dry conditions. The second part of the paper describes the experimental investigation conducted on an off-the-shelf heat exchanger. Experimental data are used to tune correlations for the determination of the convective heat transfer coefficient and validate the proposed simulation model of the ventilation heat recovery exchanger in partially wet conditions. The model developed to determine the hydraulic performance with existing correlations for the friction factor coefficient does not require a calibration. Finally, examples of use of the developed model are presented, which includes coupling the model with a building simulation model, a study of the influence of the humidity on the evolution of the latent and sensible heat transfer rates and strategies to avoid freezing in the heat exchanger. [less ▲]

Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems

in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews (2013), 22

New heat conversion technologies need to be developed and improved to take advantage of the necessary increase in the supply of renewable energy. The Organic Rankine Cycle is well suited for these ... [more ▼]

New heat conversion technologies need to be developed and improved to take advantage of the necessary increase in the supply of renewable energy. The Organic Rankine Cycle is well suited for these applications, mainly because of its ability to recover low-grade heat and the possibility to be implemented in decentralized lower-capacity power plants. In This paper, an overview of the different ORC applications is presented. A market review is proposed including cost figures for several commercial ORC modules and manufacturers. An in-depth analysis of the technical challenges related to the technology, such as working fluid selection and expansion machine issues is then reported. Technological constraints and optimization methods are extensively described and discussed. Finally, the current trends in research and development for the next generation of Organic Rankine Cycles are presented. [less ▲]

Theorical study of a volumetric hot air Joule cycle engine

in Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Microgeneration and Related Technologies (2013, April)

Monitoring of real GEO-HP-TABS (Geothermal Heat Pumps connected to Thermally Activated Building Systems)

Report (2013)

This report presents the analysis of measurement data collected on five different buildings in the frame of WP4 (“Monitoring of real GEO-HP-TABS”) of GEOTABS project. These office buildings are located in ... [more ▼]

This report presents the analysis of measurement data collected on five different buildings in the frame of WP4 (“Monitoring of real GEO-HP-TABS”) of GEOTABS project. These office buildings are located in Germany (buildings A and B) and in Belgium (buildings C, D and E). First of all, the buildings architecture will be presented. The control strategies of the HVAC systems used in these buildings will also be described. Then the energy performance of each building system will be assessed and discussed (on seasonal, daily and monthly bases). The evaluation of the energy performance will be based on monitoring data collected on the geothermal heat pump – TABS systems and other HVAC components. An analysis of the long-term thermal comfort will be presented. Finally, an economic and environmental analysis will be performed for two of the buildings. [less ▲]

Simulation-assisted evaluation of potential energy savings: Application to an administrative building in France

in Randaxhe, François; Bertagnolio, Stéphane; Lemort, Vincent (Eds.) International Conference for Enhanced Building Operations ICEBO 2012 at Manchester, October 23-26, 2012 (2012, October)

The case study presented here falls within a project of feasibility studies to improve the energy efficiency, the carbon footprint and the environmental impacts of several administrative buildings in ... [more ▼]

The case study presented here falls within a project of feasibility studies to improve the energy efficiency, the carbon footprint and the environmental impacts of several administrative buildings in France. The first part of the paper briefly presents the data obtained during a classical audit and inspection procedure: the description of the building in term of design, the HVAC system characteristics, the occupancy and operating profiles and the control strategy applied. The second part of the paper gives the first results obtained using an evidence-based calibrated building energy simulation model to analyze the actual building global consumption but also analyze the local consumptions (heat pumps, air handling units, terminal units, lightings, pumps,...). The last part of the paper then demonstrates the possibilities given by the building energy simulation model to evaluate potential energy saving scenarios through different examples. The advantages and drawbacks of the applied methods and tools are also discussed. [less ▲]

Advances in ORC expander design

Conference (2012, September 13)

DESIGN OF A SMALL-SCALE ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE ENGINE USED IN A SOLAR POWER PLANT

in Proceedings of Heat Powered Cycles Conference 2012 (2012, September)

Under the economical and political pressure due to the depletion of fossil fuel and global warming potential, it is necessary to develop more sustainable techniques to provide electrical power. In this ... [more ▼]

Under the economical and political pressure due to the depletion of fossil fuel and global warming potential, it is necessary to develop more sustainable techniques to provide electrical power. In this context, medium and large scale Organic Rankine Cycle solar power plants appear to be a promising solution because of their good efficiency, robustness and acceptable economical probability. However, only a few ORC solar power plants are in operation today, but technical literature indicate that several demonstration projects are under development. The spreading out of that technology requires, among others, a good knowledge of control strategies of the entire plant comprising the field of parabolic trough collectors, the ORC engine and thermal storage systems. The present project aims at designing, building and testing a small scale ORC solar power plant (a few kWe) in order to define and optimize control strategies that could be applied to larger systems. The paper presents the design step of the solar power plant, and more specifically the ORC engine. This design is defined based on simulation models of the ORC engine and on the experience gained in the Thermodynamics laboratory in the field of testing small-scale ORC systems. The design accounts for technical limitations such as allowed operating ranges and technical maturity of components. The paper first presents the architecture of the envisioned solar plant. The choice of the different technologies of components is justified. Simulation models of components (scroll expander, plate and fin-and-tubes heat exchangers, etc.) and of the whole system are then presented. Based on those models, parametric studies are conducted in order to optimize the sizing and the operating conditions of the system and to select the most appropriate working fluid. Also, the relevance of using two expanders in series is discussed and the control of the ORC engine is investigated. Simulations indicate that ORC engine efficiency close to 12% can be reached for evaporating and condensing temperatures of 140°C and 35°C. [less ▲]

Global Sensitivity Analysis applied to Total Energy Use in Buildings

in Proceedings of the 2nd International High Performance Buildings Conference (2012, July 16)

The work presented in this paper has been carried out in the frame of the IEA-ECBCS Annex 53 project: “Total Energy Use in Buildings: Analysis and evaluation methods”. The aim of this work is to present a ... [more ▼]

The work presented in this paper has been carried out in the frame of the IEA-ECBCS Annex 53 project: “Total Energy Use in Buildings: Analysis and evaluation methods”. The aim of this work is to present a methodology to identify the most influential parameters affecting the final energy consumption in office buildings. In order to represent buildings and HVAC systems, a representative typology was defined, modeled and simulated and subsequently a global sensitivity analysis (variance-based method) was performed. This paper provides useful information to future works related to design building decisions, building calibration, energy management strategy, etc. helping to detect and rank those factors which need to be better measured and/or estimated, in order to improve building energy efficiency. [less ▲]

Experimental Investigation on a Reversible Heat Pump for a Passenger Car

in Proceedings of the 21st International Compressor Conference, Purdue 2012 (2012, July)

This paper summarizes the first results of a research project dealing with the development of a reversible heat pump for a passenger car. Heat pump systems appear to be a more efficient alternative to ... [more ▼]

This paper summarizes the first results of a research project dealing with the development of a reversible heat pump for a passenger car. Heat pump systems appear to be a more efficient alternative to electrical resistance heaters for the purpose of heating the car indoor environment. Heat pump systems could be easily implemented into cars by allowing the air-conditioning system to run in reverse. In order to check the technical feasibility of a reversible heat pump system, and to point out technical barriers, a prototype was built and tested. Experimental data was also used to calibrate and validate simulation models of components. A heat pump system model was finally built to investigate the operating conditions of the system. The first part of the paper describes the test rig (architecture, components, and measurement devices) and the experimental campaign. Performance of components (compressor, evaporator, condenser and heater core) is evaluated in terms of variation with the operating conditions. The second part of the paper presents the steady-state semi-empirical models of the components. Such lumped models retain and concentrate the main physical phenomena inherent to the components into successive elementary processes (pressure losses, heat transfers, etc.). They require a limited number of parameters that can be identified based on experimental data. The calibration and the validation of the proposed component models are detailed. Finally, an overall simulation model of the reversible heat pump system is proposed and used to evaluate the energy performance of the system as function of the operating conditions. [less ▲]

Liquid-flooded compression and expansion in scroll machines - Part I: Model development

in International Journal of Refrigeration (2012)

A detailed mechanistic model has been developed for scroll compressors and scroll expanders with liquid flooding for application to the Liquid Flooded Ericsson Cycle. This model is based on the ... [more ▼]

A detailed mechanistic model has been developed for scroll compressors and scroll expanders with liquid flooding for application to the Liquid Flooded Ericsson Cycle. This model is based on the integration of a set of differential equations that arise from the conservation laws. The impact of the flooding liquid on the working process is also included through mixture properties as well as treatment of two-phase flow pressure drop. With the working process known, it is then possible to solve for the compressor power, total mass flow rate and other model outputs. The fine level of detail in the model allows for the investigation of the impact of design changes to the scroll machines. This model can also be readily extended to allow for the analysis of liquid flooded vapor compression refrigeration. [less ▲]