Simulation of Flow Parameters of Exhaust Gas of a Prototype Engine for Generation of Power from Exhaust Gas of Gasoline Generator

Abstract

The use of waste heat associated with exhaust gas of internal combustion engine for electricity generation are abound in literature. However, the use of pressure energy in the exhaust gas to generate electricity is just gaining attention and the need to ascertain the feasibility of any device or engine that can use the pressure energy for the aforementioned purpose has become necessary. So in this research, performance evaluation of a developed prototype engine to generate power from the pressure energy associated with exhaust gas of gasoline generator was carried out. Minimum power of 58.1W and maximum power of 90.2W were developed by the prototype engine at exhaust gas velocities of 9.5m/s and 4.8m/s, backpressures of 109600 and 113800N/m2, temperatures of 2790C and 198 0C and at turbine speed of 401 and 640 rpm respectively. The maximum efficiency of the prototype engine was found to be 43.4% at the gasoline generator speed of 4000rpm while the minimum efficiency was found to be 40.6% when the gasoline generator speed was 1000rpm. The determination of the efficacy of employing the built porotype engine to generate electricity using pressure energy from gasoline generator exhaust gas, which is frequently wasted, in this research, is a significant contribution to knowledge.