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Ener-G-Rotors initially plans to target industries, such as chemicals, paper, oil, and food, that use plenty of energy and also release a tremendous amount of waste heat, Newell says. Later, the company also hopes to participate in solar-thermal and geothermal projects, and to target consumers with a one-kilowatt system.
The company is installing its first beta unit, a five-kilowatt system, in a combined heat-and-power plant at Harbec Plastics. It is also installing betas at a steam plant for New York utility Consolidated Edison and at a landfill-gas-burning plant for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Edward Ecock, manager of research and development for gas and steam at ConEd, says that Ener-G-Rotors' system is more efficient than others that he's seen. In a power plant that uses steam generators, it could have the added benefit of reducing the amount of water needed to cool the steam condensation and cutting additional sewage costs for getting rid of the extra water, he says.
Low-temperature waste-heat technologies "really are where the industry is going," says Mark Taylor, an analyst at research firm New Energy Finance. "This potentially could be applied to every coal plant, every nuclear-power, every natural-gas plant. Steel, anything that makes heat--anything."
If the betas pan out, Ener-G-Rotors plans to expand to a 50-kilowatt demonstration, which is much smaller than the scale that most of its competitors are targeting. Newell says that the company is hoping the smaller size will open up a market for smaller industrial waste-heat streams.
But first, the betas need to pan out. "If it's not economical, we won't want to go to the 50 kilowatts," Ecock says.
Ener-G-Rotors also needs money. It has raised "a few hundred thousand" in grants and angel funding and is now seeking $5 million for the first tranche of a $20 million venture-capital round.
And it will face plenty of competition as the market heats up, Taylor warns. A crop of companies, including larger players such as United Technologies, which makes aircraft, aerospace systems, and air conditioning, and smaller companies such as ElectraTherm, are also pursuing low-temperature technologies--and they already have systems installed.
Still, Newell is confident that his company can stand out.
"Our technology is more efficient and simpler than anything else out there right now," he says. "There aren't many technologies that are going to work here. And we think we have the lowest cost of any of the technologies out there."
Nanomaterials could be used for lower-emission cars and solar panels.
Cheap organic molecules could more efficiently convert waste heat into electricity.
Ideal solution for Geothermal electricity generation
This unit would be ideal for the generation of geothermal electricity where the temperature is between 65C to 150C
There are areas in Victoria, Australia, where the temperature is marginal to run a geothermal plant at the above temperatures.
Nodoubt there are other areas in the world in the same situation.
I have read in the past where thermal temperature difference in the ocean has been utilised in Hawaii to generate electricity.
Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant
What about running a heat adsorbing PVC pipe under a large blacktop [asphalt] parking lot [Home Depot or Walmart]. The blacktop adsorbs heat like a battery, then the pipe reclaims this heat to boil a refrigerant, like ammonia to power the generator.
Ever try to walk barefoot on asphalt in the summer time, at the beach? The hotter it gets the better this works.
This would also have substantial counter heat island effect. The term "heat island" describes built up areas that are hotter than nearby rural areas. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22°F (12°C).
Using this waste heat you prevent it from warming our urban/suburban world. Depending on the technology used, cool pavements can improve stormwater management and water quality, increase surface durability, enhance nighttime illumination, and reduce noise.
Heat islands can affect communities by increasing summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and mortality, and water quality.
Cool pavements can indirectly help reduce energy consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant
You don't have to use ammonia. In fact there are thermodynamically better and nontoxic refrigerants out there. Some have been developed that are nonflammable, nontoxic and have zero ozone depletion and global warming potential. There's dozens of organic fluids that can be used.
Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant
Hello,
I have tried to find suitable fluid for thermal expansion process. What will be fluid with highest thermal expansion for temperature area 0C-300 C? It could be non-harmful and no corrosive as well!
I would appreciate for links to manufacturers and other resources too.
Thanks in advance!
Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant
Sounds promising. Not for the urban heat island effect though; efficiency isn't high enough to help substantially.
Painting roofs white or in pastel colors helps a lot though. As do greenroofs. And they're beautiful to look at as well...
Re: Blacktop Parking Lot Powerplant
I woud inform you that the Dhaka City Corporation(DCC) has invited applicaion for prequalification for sponsors for implementation of 10MW capacity based Grid conncted Waste to Electriciy Generation Project on Build Owned and Operate (BOO)Or Built Owned Operate and Transfer (BOOT)basis at Dahaka, Bangladesh. If you like to apply for the above deal kindly confirm early to send you more details.
Can anyone tell me the formulae for estimation of power from ener-g-rotors.........
generating electricity from waste heat from a gas oven
I own a couple of pizza franchises and I am looking for a thermol generator that will convert waste heat from a brick oven that operates at 650 degrees for 12 - 14 hours per day and continues to generate heat for an additional 12 hours of at least 350 degrees. Is there any product available to convert this waste heat.
Re: generating electricity from waste heat from a gas oven
Take a look at: http://www.powerverdeenergy.com/
Idaho National Laboratory is leading a $2 million project aimed at increasing energy efficiency of U.S. industries for a cleaner, more energy-efficient America. The partnership will examine GE's proprietary technology that captures energy from industrial engines that are often only 35 percent efficient, rejecting 65 percent of the available energy as waste heat.
https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1269&mode=2&featurestory=DA_329615
Manufacturing in the United States is in trouble. That's bad news not just for the country's economy but for the future of innovation.
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mkogrady
425 Comments
Off Shore Application
I recall reading there was a test of a similar system in the 1960's off Florida where the DOE deployed a closed loop system that used the thermal difference between the surface water temps and lower water temps. As the fluid cycled through, it hit a hit a gaseous state - drove a turbine and then recondensed to liquid again. The internal fluid (ammonium something or other) was too corrosive and the system eventually wore out prematurely.
If this newer approach pans out, it could be a huge tool to be used in offshore applications where currents are not as prevelent, but the thermal differences are signiificant. The Sea of Cortez off CA and Mexico could become a hug power plant or smaller inland lakes in developing countries could be candidates.
When does Ener-G-Rotors go public?
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LarryH
11 Comments
Re: Off Shore Application
I'm not sure about the '60s, but in 1978, TR published an article on ocean thermal-energy conversion (OTEC), which we reexamined in the "X Years Ago" section of the magazine: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/17092/. We also ran a Web story on more-recent OTEC projects in 2001: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/12527/.
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