Exploration of a simple, low cost, micro gas turbine recuperator solution for a domestic combined heat and power unit

A. Clay*, G.D. Tansley

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

For micro gas turbines (MGT) of around 1 kW or less, a commercially suitable recuperator must be used to produce a thermal efficiency suitable for use in UK Domestic Combined Heat and Power (DCHP). This paper uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate a recuperator design based on a helically coiled pipe-in-pipe heat exchanger which utilises industry standard stock materials and manufacturing techniques. A suitable mesh strategy was established by geometrically modelling separate boundary layer volumes to satisfy y + near wall conditions. A higher mesh density was then used to resolve the core flow. A coiled pipe-in-pipe recuperator solution for a 1 kW MGT DCHP unit was established within the volume envelope suitable for a domestic wall-hung boiler. Using a low MGT pressure ratio (necessitated by using a turbocharger oil cooled journal bearing platform) meant unit size was larger than anticipated. Raising MGT pressure ratio from 2.15 to 2.5 could significantly reduce recuperator volume. Dimensional reasoning confirmed the existence of optimum pipe diameter combinations for minimum pressure drop. Maximum heat exchanger effectiveness was achieved using an optimum or minimum pressure drop pipe combination with large pipe length as opposed to a large pressure drop pipe combination with shorter pipe length.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2676-2684
Number of pages9
JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
Volume31
Issue number14-15
Early online date5 May 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2011

Keywords

  • CFD
  • Coiled
  • DCHP
  • domestic Combined Heat and Power
  • heat exchanger
  • helically
  • MGT
  • micro combined heat and power
  • micro gas turbine
  • micro recuperator
  • pipe-in-pipe

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