Model-based Analysis of Novel Heat Engines for Low- Temperature Heat Conversion

To overcome the lack of economic technologies for conversion of low-grade heat into power, Dutch company Encontech B.V. has recently suggested a novel-type external combustion engine. This Encontech Engine utilizing dense working fluids promises effective energy conversion and large power density at low specific cost. In the study presented in this paper, a simplified thermodynamic model has been developed and applied to identify optimal working conditions and suitable working fluids for the Encontech Engine. Although the utilization of dense working fluids promises several advantages over gas-phase heat engines (e.g., Stirling engine), efficient regeneration is a difficult task. For this reason, approaches to combine the benefits of dense working fluids with enhanced regeneration have been investigated.