Energetic optimization of the performances of a hot air engine for micro-CHP systems working with a Joule or an Ericsson cycle

Marie Creyx (1, 2) , Eric Delacourt (1, 2) , Céline Morin (1, 2) , Bernard Desmet (1, 2) , Philippe Peultier

1 TEMPO - Laboratoire de Thermique, Ecoulements Mécaniques matériaux mise en forme PrOduction
2 LAMIH - Laboratoire d'Automatique, de Mécanique et d'Informatique industrielles et Humaines - UMR 8201

The micro combined heat and electrical power systems (micro-CHP) with hot air engines are well adapted for solid biomass upgrading, in particular, the Ericsson engines working with an open cycle and an external combustion. This paper presents a model of an Ericsson engine with a compression and an expansion cylinder which allows a thermodynamic optimization of the engine performances in a global approach. A sensitive analysis on the influent parameters is carried out in order to determine the optimal working conditions of the engine: temperature and pressure range, expansion cycle shape with a late intake valve closing or an early exhaust valve closing, heat transfers through the wall of the cylinders. This study, focused on thermodynamic aspects, is a first step in the design of an Ericsson engine

Mots clés: "Cogeneration"; "Engine performances"; "Ericsson engine"; "Hot air engines"; "Joule and Ericsson cycles"; "Thermodynamic optimization"

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]; Mécanique [physics.med-ph]

Marie Creyx, Eric Delacourt, Céline Morin, Bernard Desmet, Philippe Peultier. Energetic optimization of the performances of a hot air engine for micro-CHP systems working with a Joule or an Ericsson cycle. Energy, 2013, 49 (1), pp. 229-239. ⟨10.1016/j.energy.2012.10.061⟩. ⟨hal-03531364⟩