Research on the performance of exhaust gas temperature differential
power generation from ships
Abstract
In order to study the influencing factors of the application of
temperature difference in ship’s exhaust gas and to explore the
potential of recycling waste heat from ship’s exhaust gas, an
experimental system for temperature difference power generation in
ship’s exhaust gas has been designed. Besides, related performance
studies have been carried out about the characteristics of temperature
difference power generation tablets and exhaust gas. Moreover, the
theoretical calculation of the maximum output power and maximum
efficiency of the individual temperature differential power generation
module was carried out. Furthermore, the effects of insulation material,
installation pressure, thermally conductive silicone grease, brine
concentration, cooling water temperature, and heat source temperature on
the performance of the individual temperature differential power
generation module were thoroughly investigated. The results showed that
the insulation material and the brine had a small effect on the
efficiency of the differential temperature power generator. Conversely,
the mounting pressure, the thermal grease, the cooling water
temperature, and the heat source temperature greatly influenced the
open-circuit voltage and the maximum output power. The installation
pressure, the thermal grease, the cooling water temperature, and the
heat source temperature increased the open-circuit voltage by 6.72%,
31.54%, 18.95%, and 26.92%, respectively, and increased the maximum
output power by 15.63%, 82.05%, 51.79%, and 49.41%, respectively.
The maximum output of a single temperature differential power generator
reached 63.5% when using an installation pressure of 3 bar, a cooling
water temperature of 20°C, double-layer aluminum insulation, a thermally
conductive silicone grease, and a brine concentration of 5.5%. Finally,
this study provides reference data support for the use of temperature
differential power generation devices for ship exhaust gas and lays a
foundation for the further research and development of this technology
on ships.