Project Acronym
EHAWEDRY
Project Title
Energy harvesting via wetting/drying cycles with nanoporous electrodes
Funding Code
GA 964524
Institute
Principal Investigator
Coordinator(s)
Status
Laufend
Duration
01-07-2021
-
30-06-2025
Funding Organization
Funding Program
H2020
Project Abstract
Innovative low-grade waste heat harvesting
Conversion, transportation and end-use processes result in massive amounts of energy waste in the form of low-grade heat. Existing technologies for conversion of low-grade waste heat into electricity are expensive. The EU-funded EHAWEDRY project proposes an innovative conversion concept that relies on coupling charging/discharging cycles of electrochemical supercapacitors with the drying/wetting of their nanoporous electrodes. The concept exploits the proportionality of the capacitor capacity to its electrode/electrolyte contact area. The project envisages an innovative harvester prototype that reaches volumetric power densities, comparable to established waste heat recovery technologies such as Rankine cycle engines. The prototype presents design flexibility, scalability and potential for the cost-effective harvesting of low-grade waste heat.
Conversion, transportation and end-use processes result in massive amounts of energy waste in the form of low-grade heat. Existing technologies for conversion of low-grade waste heat into electricity are expensive. The EU-funded EHAWEDRY project proposes an innovative conversion concept that relies on coupling charging/discharging cycles of electrochemical supercapacitors with the drying/wetting of their nanoporous electrodes. The concept exploits the proportionality of the capacitor capacity to its electrode/electrolyte contact area. The project envisages an innovative harvester prototype that reaches volumetric power densities, comparable to established waste heat recovery technologies such as Rankine cycle engines. The prototype presents design flexibility, scalability and potential for the cost-effective harvesting of low-grade waste heat.