Non-equilibrium theoretical analysis of resorption power generation cycle with multiple expansions

Abstract

The performance of the proposed multiple expansion resorption power generation cycle using three typical resorption salt pairs, including sodium bromide - manganese chloride, strontium chloride - manganese chloride and sodium bromide - strontium chloride, have been investigated not just based on theoretical thermodynamics but also with the consideration of practical factors to obtain better understanding and more insights for a real system design. The multiple expansion resorption power generation using sodium bromide - manganese chloride and sodium bromide - strontium chloride pairs can achieve 100~600 kJ/kg (ammonia) work output when heat source temperature is from 30 °C to 150 °C; the multiple expansion using strontium chloride - manganese chloride pair has higher average work output per one expansion stage than that using the other two pairs. The cyclic energy efficiency can be achieved as 0.06~0. 15 when implementing 2~4 expansions in a more practical scenario where the equilibrium pressure drop is set to 2 bar and the heat source temperature is in the range of 80~150 °C. Such efficiencies are circa 27~62% of Carnot efficiency under the same thermal conditions