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

在拟议的为期18个月的项目中，MetapPower将进入自由活塞式直线电气技术的新时代，最大限度地提高灵活性和效率。在这个项目中，将开发独特配置的FPLE压缩机和发电机(FPLEC/G)版本，允许高效压缩各种气体，适用于电力和流程工业、制冷、供暖和制冷、能源储存和电子移动等广泛应用。提出的FPLE结构通过缓慢的气体压力交换将压缩功和能量消耗同时降至最低，从而实现了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，以及允许可变压缩比，从而实现所需的末端气体压力。与最先进的项目实验焦点相比，FPLEC的设计采用了中央压缩腔与相对的压缩活塞相连，确保了动态稳定性，同时最大限度地提高了功率密度，并最大限度地减小了系统的整体尺寸。此外，FPLEC承诺非常有竞争力的成本，因为它是由标准部件和制造工艺以及使用更少的部件和原材料制成的。该项目的集成方法承诺在性能上比目前最先进的水平有一步的变化，这一概念有助于实现大批量、制造规模的经济。MetapPower选择氢气压缩作为FPLEC的初始目标应用，因为最近迫切地转向将氢气作为清洁能源和能源安全的两个焦点之一。这与FPLEC处理不同气体的灵活性、FPLEG的灵活燃料能力以及项目合作伙伴Brunel大学在一系列燃料的压缩机/膨胀机和发动机研究方面的丰富经验很好地结合在一起，包括专用的氢气测试设施。MetapPower还与FPLEG的原始概念开发商Yafa合作开发了这个项目，两家公司都将直接受益于这个项目的结果，同时提供一条直接和即时的进入市场的途径。该项目的主要成果包括系统规范、设计和模拟、实验室测试和通过精心执行的实验活动对FPLEC进行模型验证。FPLEG的建模工作将为后续项目奠定基础。这一方法对于FPLE技术的发展及其巨大的市场潜力的特征至关重要，从而产生了一个与国家和全球优先事项高度一致的项目。

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.