Isothermal Compression and Generation Technology for Clean Energy, Storage & E-Mobility

在为期18个月的项目中，Metapower将进入自由活塞线性电气技术的新时代，最大限度地提高灵活性和效率。在该项目中，将开发具有独特配置的FPLE压缩机和发电机（FPLEC/G）版本，可有效压缩各种气体，适用于各种应用，包括电力和加工工业，制冷，加热和冷却，储能和电动汽车。提出的FPLE结构同时通过缓慢的气体压力交换最小化压缩工作和能量消耗，从而实现等温压缩和更高的效率。此外，FPLE允许振荡器与压缩活塞解耦，以进一步控制和优化压缩工作，并允许可变压缩比，从而实现所需的末端气体压力。与目前最先进的项目实验重点相比，FPLEC设计了一个与相对压缩活塞耦合的中央压缩室，在保证动态稳定性的同时，最大限度地提高了功率密度，最小化了整体系统尺寸。此外，FPLEC承诺一个非常有竞争力的成本，因为它是由标准零件和制造工艺，以及使用更少的零件和原材料。该项目的综合方法有望在当前最先进的性能上实现阶段性变化，并且该概念适合大批量生产，制造规模经济。Metapower选择氢压缩作为FPLEC的初始目标应用，是因为最近氢作为清洁能源和能源安全的两个焦点之一迫切转向氢。这与FPLEC处理不同气体的灵活性、FPLEG灵活的燃料能力以及项目合作伙伴布鲁内尔大学在压缩机/膨胀器和发动机研究一系列燃料方面的丰富经验（包括专用的氢气测试设施）相结合。Metapower还与FPLEG的原始概念开发商Yafa合作开展了该项目，两家公司都将直接受益于该项目的成果，同时提供直接和即时的市场途径。项目的主要可交付成果包括：系统规范；设计与仿真；通过精心执行的实验活动对FPLEC进行实验室测试和模型验证。FPLEG的建模工作将为后续项目奠定基础。这种方法是FPLE技术发展的关键，也是其巨大市场潜力的关键，从而使项目与国家和全球优先事项保持一致。

In the proposed 18-month project, Metapower will enter into a new era of Free Piston Linear Electric technology that maximises flexibility and efficiency. In this project, FPLE Compressor and Generator (FPLEC/G) version in a unique configuration will be developed allowing efficient compression of a wide range of gases suitable for a wide range of applications including the power and process industries, refrigeration, heating & cooling, energy storage and e-mobility. The FPLE configuration proposed simultaneously minimises compression work and energy dissipation via slow gas pressure exchange, thus realising isothermal compression and higher efficiency. In addition, FPLE allows decoupling of the oscillator from the compression piston to further control and optimise compression work, as well as to allow variable compression ratio and thus, desired end gas pressures. Compared to the state-of-art, the projects experimental focus, the FPLEC is designed with a central compression chamber coupled to the opposed compression piston which guarantees dynamic stability while maximising power density and minimizing overall system size. In addition, FPLEC promises a very competitive cost as it is made of standard parts and manufacturing processes as well using fewer parts and raw materials. The project's integrated approach promises a step change in performance over the current state-of-the-art and the concept lends itself to high volume, manufacturing scale economies. Metapower has chosen hydrogen compression as the initial target application for the FPLEC due to the recent and urgent shift towards hydrogen as one of two focal points of clean energy and energy security. This combines well with FPLEC's flexibility to deal with different gases, FPLEG's flexi-fuel capability and with project partner Brunel University's wide experience in compressor/expander and engine research for a range of fuels including a dedicated hydrogen test facility. Metapower has, also, partnered for this project with Yafa, the original concept developer of FPLEG and both companies will directly benefit from the outcome of this project while offering a direct and immediate route-to-market. The key deliverables from the project include system specification; design & simulation; lab testing and model validation of FPLEC through a carefully executed experimental campaign. Modelling work on FPLEG will set the stage for follow-on projects. This approach is key to the development of the FPLE technology and for the characterisation of its huge market potential, resulting in a project that strongly aligns with national and global priorities.