Novel Variable Conductance Heat Pipe Coupled with a Stirling Engine

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The proposed work involves the design, construction and testing on a micro-combined-heat-and-power (mCHP) unit of avariable capacity heat pipe (VCHP) in which the mCHP waste heat is managed using one or more (depending uponcapacity of the store) novel heat pipes arranged to link with a phase change material (PCM) thermal store. Novelty lies inthe use of an inert gas inventory in the heat pipe whose pressure can be varied in response to domestic heating demandand the inclusion of a compact PCM thermal store. Variations in inert gas pressure are used to regulate the domesticheating system heat exchange surface area (and, hence, capacity) smoothly and continuously, whilst the PCM thermalstore is used to manage the availability of this heat over extended time horizons. Though the proposal is focused ondomestic-scale mCHP applications, the concept is equally applicable to larger scale commercial combined heat and powerplants.Northumbria's University's contribution is to develop a simulation model of the mCHP unit and VCHP and use the model todesign a domestic-scale experimental pilot rig. The pilot rig will be constructed in Northumbria's Low Carbon Systemslaboratory using an existing Stirling cycle mCHP module. The VCHP unit will be constructed by the collaborators to thesizing specification designed with the assistance of the simulation model. Northumbria will perform a series of experimentsat thermal demands relevant to typical domestic heating loads - both winter (space heating and hot water) and summer (hotwater only). The intention is to develop the research to a proof-of-concept stage only. A further application of thesimulation model will be used to design system options for a range of house types with differing occupancies and heatingdemands. Results will be reported as a basis for possible prototying and field demonstration.