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Recuperators for micro gas turbines: A review

Author

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  • Xiao, Gang
  • Yang, Tianfeng
  • Liu, Huanlei
  • Ni, Dong
  • Ferrari, Mario Luigi
  • Li, Mingchun
  • Luo, Zhongyang
  • Cen, Kefa
  • Ni, Mingjiang

Abstract

Micro gas turbines are a promising technology for distributed power generation because of their compact size, low emissions, low maintenance, low noise, high reliability and multi-fuel capability. Recuperators preheat compressed air by recovering heat from exhaust gas of turbines, thus reducing fuel consumption and improving the system efficiency, typically from 16–20% to ∼30%. A recuperator with high effectiveness and low pressure loss is mandatory for a good performance. This work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding about recuperators, covering fundamental principles (types, material selection and manufacturing), operating characteristics (heat transfer and pressure loss), optimization methods, as well as research hotspots and suggestions. It is revealed that primary-surface recuperator is prior to plate-fin and tubular ones. Ceramic recuperators outperform metallic recuperators in terms of high-temperature mechanical and corrosion properties, being expected to facilitate the overall efficiency approaching 40%. Heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics are crucial for designing a desired recuperator, and more experimental and simulation studies are necessary to obtain accurate empirical correlations for optimizing configurations of heat transfer surfaces with high ratios of Nusselt number to friction factor. Optimization methods are summarized and discussed, considering complicated relationships among pressure loss, heat transfer effectiveness, compactness and cost, and it is noted that multi-objective optimization methods are worthy of attention. Moreover, 3D printing and printed circuit heat exchanger technologies deserve more research on manufacturing of recuperators. Generally, a metallic cost-effective primary-surface recuperator with high effectiveness and low pressure drop is a currently optimal option for a micro gas turbine of an efficiency of ∼30%, while a ceramic recuperator is suggested for a high efficiency micro gas turbine (e.g. 40%).

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao, Gang & Yang, Tianfeng & Liu, Huanlei & Ni, Dong & Ferrari, Mario Luigi & Li, Mingchun & Luo, Zhongyang & Cen, Kefa & Ni, Mingjiang, 2017. "Recuperators for micro gas turbines: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 83-99.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:197:y:2017:i:c:p:83-99
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.03.095
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    Cited by:

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    2. Gavagnin, Giacomo & Rech, Sergio & Sánchez, David & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2018. "Optimum design and performance of a solar dish microturbine using tailored component characteristics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 660-676.
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    4. Zhang, Chengyu & Gümmer, Volker, 2020. "Multi-objective optimization and system evaluation of recuperated helicopter turboshaft engines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    5. Chehrmonavari, Hamed & Kakaee, Amirhasan & Hosseini, Seyed Ehsan & Desideri, Umberto & Tsatsaronis, George & Floerchinger, Gus & Braun, Robert & Paykani, Amin, 2023. "Hybridizing solid oxide fuel cells with internal combustion engines for power and propulsion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    6. Xiaochun Zhao & Xianghua Huang & Tianqian Xia, 2020. "Research on Modeling of a Micro Variable-Pitch Turboprop Engine Based on Rig Test Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-12, April.
    7. Pashchenko, Dmitry, 2022. "Natural gas reforming in thermochemical waste-heat recuperation systems: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    8. Wei Wang & Liang Ding & Fangming Han & Yong Shuai & Bingxi Li & Bengt Sunden, 2022. "Parametric Study on Thermo-Hydraulic Performance of NACA Airfoil Fin PCHEs Channels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.
    9. Kwon, Hyun Min & Moon, Seong Won & Kim, Tong Seop & Kang, Do Won, 2020. "Performance enhancement of the gas turbine combined cycle by simultaneous reheating, recuperation, and coolant inter-cooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    10. Yongming Zhang & Zhe Yan & Li Li & Jiawei Yao, 2018. "A Hybrid Building Power Distribution System in Consideration of Supply and Demand-Side: A Short Overview and a Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, November.
    11. Cai, Jun & Huai, Xiulan & Xi, Wenxuan, 2018. "An optimal design approach for the annular involute-profile cross wavy primary surface recuperator in microturbine and an application case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 80-89.
    12. Tilocca, Giuseppe & Sánchez, David & Torres-García, Miguel, 2024. "Applying the root cause analysis methodology to study the lack of market success of micro gas turbine systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    13. Roberto Capata & Francesco Tatti, 2020. "Designing, Prototyping, Assembling and Costs Analysis of a Gas Turbine Hybrid Vehicle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-36, September.
    14. Huadong Jiang & Fu Chen & Chonghai Huang & Jianyang Yu & Yanping Song & Juanshu Zhang, 2023. "Numerical Study of the Influence of Different Bending Shapes on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of Annular Cross Wavy Primary Surface Recuperator (CW-PSR)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-25, December.
    15. Tilocca, Giuseppe & Sánchez, David & Torres-García, Miguel, 2023. "Application of the theory of constraints to unveil the root causes of the limited market penetration of micro gas turbine systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    16. Zhou, Xin & Xu, Haoran & Xiang, Duo & Chen, Jinli & Xiao, Gang, 2022. "Design and modeling of a honeycomb ceramic thermal energy storage for a solar thermal air-Brayton cycle system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    17. Rovense, Francesco & Sebastián, Andrés & Abbas, Rubén & Romero, Manuel & González-Aguilar, José, 2023. "Performance map analysis of a solar-driven and fully unfired closed-cycle micro gas turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PB).
    18. Coppitters, Diederik & Contino, Francesco & El-Baz, Ahmed & Breuhaus, Peter & De Paepe, Ward, 2020. "Techno-economic feasibility study of a solar-powered distributed cogeneration system producing power and distillate water: Sensitivity and exergy analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 1089-1097.
    19. Xing, Chang & Liu, Li & Qiu, Penghua & Shen, Wenkai & Lyu, Yajin & Zhang, Zhuo & Wang, Hui & Wu, Shaohua & Qin, Yukun, 2017. "Combustion performance of an adjustable fuel feeding combustor under off-design conditions for a micro-gas turbine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 12-24.
    20. Chen, Jinli & Xiao, Gang & Ferrari, Mario Luigi & Yang, Tianfeng & Ni, Mingjiang & Cen, Kefa, 2020. "Dynamic simulation of a solar-hybrid microturbine system with experimental validation of main parts," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 187-200.
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