The Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) of the University of Genoa is investigating innovative solutions to increase the flexibility of gas turbine combined cycles (GTCC) and extend their operative range by integrating large size high performance heat pumps. Achieving this goal would make GTCCs more competitive in the future energy market, which will be characterized by a heavy presence of non-dispatchable renewable energy sources. Within this framework, the authors designed and built a new experimental facility to emulate advanced GTCCs at laboratory scale, integrating a 100 kWel micro gas turbine (MGT), a 10 kWel heat pump (HP) and a 180 kWh cold thermal energy storage (TES), with scale-up equations and dynamic models, capable of hardware-in-the-loop tests. The focus of this article is on the HP, which uses n-butane (R600) as working fluid and can be used both to heat and cool down the MGT compressor intake. The HP features one superheater and a 6-cylinder reciprocating compressor, which rotational speed can be continuously varied from 900rpm to 1800rpm. A dynamic model of the HP was developed in TRANSEO, with dedicated Matlab-Simulink® models. This model includes all the components of the HP closed loop, making it possible to simulate its performance and monitor all the main process parameters, such as compressor operation and condensing pressure. This model can be used to simulate the HP in various conditions, including part-load and transient operations, and to aid the design of the advanced GTCC control system. The evaporator and condenser models solve a system of non-linear equations to compute pressure, temperature, and distribution of the different phases of the working fluid along the heat exchangers. Such phase distribution is computed following a moving boundary approach. An experimental campaign was carried out to collect data regarding the stationary performance of the HP. Values of COP and thermal power were analysed as a function of compressor speed and pressure at the condenser, keeping the conditions at the evaporator constant. Then, its transient behaviour was characterized, observing its response to step changes of both evaporator and condenser thermal loads. The model was then successfully calibrated and validated on both stationary and transient data, showing good accuracy. Based on these results, it will be possible to integrate the HP model within larger system simulation tools. Having an accurate digital twin of the whole GTCC integrating HPs and TES will make possible to develop and verify complex control logics on many different scenarios, relying on a safe model-in-the-loop setup, before actual implementation in the field.
This paper intends to present the experimental results of an integrated polygeneration system based on innovative thermal solar façade panels working with Near-InfraRed (NIR) radiation. The research goal is the evaluation of thermal energy performances of the integrated system based on innovative NIR façade panels and including different other devices for thermal and electrical energy production (i.e. prototype heat pump and CHP mGT). The innovative solution has been developed in the framework of 'ENVISION' H2020 European Project whose aim is the demonstration of a full renovation concept that harvests energy from all available building surfaces allowing visible aspects to be retained. In this paper, the 'ENVISION' Southern Demosite, located at the Savona University Campus (one of the venues of the University of Genoa), is presented together with the description of the solar panels' main characteristics, their site installation, and the thermal power calculation performed using experimental data.
The goal of this paper is to present a dynamic model of an integrated energy system based on Near-InfraRed façade panels and their validation. The innovative solution has been developed in the framework of the 'ENVISION' European Project funded by the EU H2020 Programme. The whole system integrates the ENVISION façade panels with a mGT, a prototype heat pump, and two thermal storages composing an innovative microgrid. This paper briefly describes the whole system and the model of each component together with the main characteristic equations. The work is mainly focused on the model development and validation of the solar-faced panels' systems and the heat pump and its single components. The model will be used to evaluate the impact of the temperature variation of the warm water produced by the panels over the heat pump performance and responsivity and to define the proper integration strategy. The validation of the solar façade panels model and the HP model has been carried out using experimental data and the results showed that the realized models have reliability of more than 98%.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.