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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Overview of waste heat utilization systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6282823

The heavy truck diesel engine rejects a significant fraction of its fuel energy in the form of waste heat. Historically, the Department of Energy has supported technology efforts for utilization of the diesel exhaust heat. Specifically, the Turbocompound and the Organic Rankine Cycle System (ORCS) have demonstrated that meaningful improvements in highway fuel economy can be realized through waste heat utilization. For heat recovery from the high temperature exhaust of future adiabatic diesel engines, the DOE/NASA are investigating a variety of alternatives based on the Rankine, Brayton, and Stirling power cycles. Initial screening results indicate that systems of this type offer a fuel savings advantage over the turbocompound system. Capital and maintenance cost projections, however, indicate that the alternative power cycles are not competitive on an economic payback basis. Plans call for continued analysis in an attempt to identify a cost effective configuration with adequate fuel savings potential.

Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
DOE Contract Number:
AI01-80CS50194
OSTI ID:
6282823
Report Number(s):
DOE/NASA/50194-41; CONF-8410103-1; NASA-TM-86901; ON: DE85003887
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English