Naslov
Analytical approach for estimating the pressure drop potential in convective vortex heat engines

Autori
Nižetić, Sandro

Izvornik
Transactions of the canadian society for mechanical engineering (0315-8977) 38 (2014), 1; 81-91

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
convective vortices; pressure drop potential; thermodynamic efficiency.

Sažetak
This paper presents a new analytical approach for estimating the pressure drop potential in proposed technical concepts in which convective vortices are to be used as heat engines. A heat engine framework was used to develop the proposed analytical approach, and the framework proved to be essential for the physical formulation and establishment of the analytical approach. The calculated results for the pressure drop potential were compared with available experimental data and with results obtained by other authors. The gained results are in agreement with available field observations and pressure potential ranges from 1.0 hPa to 4.0 hPa, depending from the type of convective vortices. The main novelty is an analytical connection of the well-known CAPE value with the magnitude of the pressure potential. Furthermore, the vortex maintenance factor is also included in the provided analysis, and the gained results show a high value of this factor, which corresponds with the available observations of natural convective vortices. The proposed analytical approach is important and useful for research in energy concepts where convective vortices are to be used as sources of mechanical work for electricity production. Furthermore, it is the first approach developed by which the pressure drop potential can be calculated for concepts utilising convective vortex heat engines, and it is an important step forward for the theoretical research of alternative energy concepts with convective vortices.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne tehničke znanosti

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