U15EE1006R

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

 UNIT 4

EMERGING ENERGY SYSTEMS

Emerging Energy Systems

 Magneto Hydro Dynamics (MHD)

 Thermoelectric Power

 Thermonuclear Fusion Energy

 Fuel Cell
MAGNETO HYDRO DYNAMICS
(MHD) SYSTEM
 Introduction
• Non-conventional energy system
• Based on Faraday’s Law of Electro-magnetic Induction
– energy is generated due to the movement of an electric
conductor inside a magnetic field.
• Doesn’t have any moving parts
Concept given by Michael Faraday in
1832 for the first time.

 MHD System widely used in advanced

countries.
 Under construction in INDIA.
Principle Of MHD Power Generation
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction : When an
electric conductor moves across a magnetic field, an emf
is induced in it, which produces an electric current .
Introduction
• Magnetic Field
• Perpendicular Current
• Magnetic Field
– Magnetic metals
• Conducting fluid
– Plasmas
– Salt water
• Concept
– The idea of MHD is that
magnetic fields
can induce currents in a
moving conductive fluid,
which create forces on the
fluid.
 Comparison between a Turbo
generator and a MHD generator
 Types of
MHD SYSTEM
(1)Open cycle System
(2)Closed cycle System
(i)Seeded inert gas systems
(ii) Liquid metal systems
OPEN CYCLE MHD SYSTEM
HYBRID MHD STEAM PART
OPEN CYCLE
CLOSED CYCLE MHD SYSTEM
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN CYCLE
AND CLOSED CYCLE SYSTEM
Open Cycle
System
• Working fluid after generating
electrical energy is
discharged to the
atmosphere through a
stack .
• Operation of MHD generator is
done directly on combustion
products .
• Temperature requirement :
2300˚C to 2700˚C.
• More developed.
Closed Cycle
System
• Working fluid is recycled to the
heat sources and thus is used
again.
• Helium or argon(with cesium
seeding) is used as the
working fluid.
• Temperature requirement :
about 530˚C.
• Less developed.
NEED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The MHD channel operates on extreme

conditions of temperature, magnetic and
electric fields .
So, numerous technological
advancements are needed prior to
commercialization of MHD systems .
Search is on for better insulator and
electrode materials which can with stand
the electrical, thermal, mechanical and
 ADVANTAGES OF MHD SYSTEM

• Conversion efficiency of about 50% .

• Less fuel consumption.
• Large amount of pollution free power generated .
• Ability to reach full power level as soon as started.
• Plant size is considerably smaller than conventional fossil fuel
plants .
• Less overall generation cost.
• No moving parts, so more reliable .
DISADVANTAGES OF MHD SYSTEM

• Suffers from reverse flow (short circuits) of electrons through

the conducting fluids around the ends of the magnetic
field.
• Needs very large magnets and this is a major expense.
• High friction and heat transfer losses.
• High operating temperature.
• Coal used as fuel poses problem of molten ash which may
short circuit the electrodes. Hence, oil or natural gas are
much better fuels for MHDs. Restriction on use of fuel
makes the operation more expensive.
 APPLICATIONS
• Power generation in space craft.

• Hypersonic wind tunnel experiments.

• Defense application.
Thermoelectric Energy
Systems

 Thermoelectric Power Generation

 Basic Principle
 Thermoelectric Power Generator
Thermo Electric Power Generation
• Introduction
– 1st Introduced by : Thomas Johann Seebeck

– Thermoelectricity:
phenomenon in which temperature difference creates electric potential
or vice-versa

– Thermoelectric power generator:

device that converts heat energy to electric energy acc. to Seebeck effect

– Later developments:
• Peltier & Thomson: described thermal effects on conductors
Seebeck, Peltier and Thomson Effects
• Seebeck Effect
– Statement :
• When the junctions of two different metals are maintained at different
temperatures
• Then, emf is produced in the circuit.

– Explanation :
• Conductor 1: maintained at T+ΔT
• Conductor 2: maintained at T
• Junction: at different temperatures
• EMF ‘U’ is induced in the circuit
Seebeck, Peltier and Thomson Effects
• Peltier Effect
– Statement :
• When current passes through a circuit of two dissimilar conductors
• Heat is absorbed or released at the junction of the conductors
• Based on the direction of current
absorbed

– Explanation :
• When current flows
• Hot junction: heat released to ambient
• Cold junction: heat absorbed from ambient

released
 Seebeck, Peltier and Thomson Effects

• Thomson Effect
– Statement :
• When current flows in material having temperature gradient
• Heat is absorbed or produced
• This heat is proportional to both electric current & temperature gradient

– Notes :
• Both Thomson & Peltier effects are reversible with change on current direction
• Later, Kelvin found the relationship between Seebeck and Thomson effects
 Thermoelectric Effect & Materials
• Thermoelectric Effect
– Statement :
• the direct conversion of heat differentials or temperature difference to
electric voltage and vice versa

• Thermoelectric Materials
– Desirable Properties :
• Large Seebeck coefficient
• High electrical conductivity
• Low thermal
– Examples
conductivity
:
• BismuthTelluride (Bi2Te3),
• Lead Telluride (PbTe),
• SiliconGermanium (SiGe),
• Bismuth-Antimony (Bi-Sb)
 Thermoelectric Power Generator
• Principle
– Seebeck Effect
• Junction of 2 dissimilar metals is maintained at different temperatures,
emf is produced
Heat input

Hot junction

P-type N-type

Cold junction

Heat ejection
Power output
 Thermoelectric Power Generator
• Construction & Working
– 2 junctions
• 1 junction is maintained hot
by a heat source
• 2nd junction is maintained cold
by a heat sink
Advantages: Thermoelectric Generation
– Easy Maintenance :
• works electrically without any moving parts
• so they are virtually maintenance free
– Environment Friendly :
• no pollution
– Compact & Light-weight :
• smaller and lighter than a comparable mechanical system
– Hight Reliability :
• Very high reliability due to solid-state construction
– No noise :
• Because no moving parts
– Aerospace Application
• can be used in any orientation and in zero gravity environments
– Convenient Power Supply:
• They operate directly from a DC power source
Thermonuclear Fusion Energy
Systems

 Thermonuclear Fusion Energy

 Nuclear Fusion and Reactions

 Advantages
 Nuclear Fusion and Reactions
• Isotopes of Hydrogen
 Nuclear Fusion and Reactions
• Fusion Process
 Nuclear Fusion
• Essential Requirements

– Sufficient Energy :
• Nuclei should be given sufficient energy
• To overcome force of repulsion

– Energy of Nuclei :
• Increased by increasing Temperature

• Thermonuclear Reactions

– Nuclear fusion reactions occurring at very high temperatures

• Energy is released in an uncontrolled manner
• Challenge: to control the release of fusion energy
 Thermo-Nuclear Fusion
• At normal temperatures
– Electrons and nucleus of atom are held together
• Due to electrical attraction of opposite charges
• (electrons: -ve; nucleus: +ve cos they contain protons & neutrons )

• At high temperatures
– Oppositely charged electrons & nucleus get separated

– Plasma : Gas containing

• Free positively charged nuclei (or ions)
• Free negatively charged electrons

• At fusion temperatures
– Hydrogen isotope gases are actually plasmas
• At and below fusion temperatures
 Thermo-Nuclear Fusion
• Magnetic confinement fusion
 Thermo-Nuclear Fusion
• Magnetic confinement fusion
 Nuclear Fusion
• Advantages
– Moderate cost :
• For an ample supply of raw materials

– Less fuel in the system :

• Prevents large accidental release of energy

– Inherent safety :
• No danger of over-heating, even if cooling system fails

– Minimal environmental issues :

• Like radioactive release and waste disposal

– High thermal efficiency :

• For conversion of fusion energy to electrical energy
 Fuel Cells

 Classification

 Fuel cell based electric power generation scheme

 Applications
 Fuel Cells
• Design and Operation (Hydrox cell)
 Fuel Cells
• Classification
 Fuel Cells
• Classification
 Fuel Cell
• Electric Power Generation Scheme
 Fuel Cells
• Applications

– Domestic Use :
• Electric lamps, heat pumps, motors

– Central Power Stations :

• For load levelling

– Automotive Vehicles :
• For vehicle propulsion (aluminium-air cell)

– Special Applications :
• Military and space projects (hydrogen-based)