Assessment of external combustion, Brayton-cycle engine potential in total and integrated energy systems

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5222669· OSTI ID:5222669

Marciniak, T. J.; Bratis, J. C.; Davis, A.; Jain, M. L.; Ashe, T. L.; Six, L. D.; Trimble, S. W.

The history, advantages, disadvantages, and performance and cost characteristics of the external-combustion, Brayton engine are discussed. Included are studies of external combustion, Brayton engines in Integrated Energy Systems, and comparisons with current technologies, such as diesels and gas turbines, as well as with other advanced prime-mover technologies, such as large Stirling engines and adiabatic turbocompound diesel engines. Lastly, a development program, one that would lead to a commercializable external combustion, Brayton engine using an atmospheric fluidized bed combustor is described. The fluidized bed offers a method for burning coal in an environmentally acceptable manner at a fairly reasonable cost so that the external combustion Brayton concept can be used in the residential/commercial sector. Based on this study, it appears that the external combustion, Brayton engine, using a fluidized-bed combustion system, offers a technologically sound alternative for developing an economically viable, environmentally acceptable method for using non-scarce fuels. Although the efficiency of the engine is not as high as that projected for large diesel and Stirling engines, the capital cost advantages, fuel flexibility, relatively low developmental costs, and high chance of success make it an attractive alternative.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5222669
• Report Number(s): ANL/ES-96
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BRAYTON CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
ICES
TOTAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
EFFICIENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FLUIDIZED-BED COMBUSTORS
HEAT ENGINES
MAINTENANCE
RELIABILITY
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
COMBUSTORS
ECONOMICS
ENGINES
320603* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Municipalities & Community Systems- Public Utilities- (1980-)
320100 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings
290800 - Energy Planning & Policy- Heat Utilization- (1980-)