Browsing by Author "Peterson, J."

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    Extending the functionality and efficiency of energy storage tanks in solar power plants
    (2011-09-23T00:00:00Z) Sansom, Christopher L.; Dorey, Robert A.; Jones, Paul M.; Peterson, J.; Jakubczyk, Ewa
    Improvements to the efficiency of Solar Power Plants are a key objective as the technology matures. Oneopportunity yet to be explored involves energy harvesting from hot components located within the powerplant, utilizing waste heat. We describe two approaches to energy harvesting in this context. These are basedfirstly on TEC device technology, where we describe the use of both commercially available components andour work to develop more efficient TEC devices based on nanostructured oxides. Secondly, we describe analternative thermomagnetic approach based on nanoparticle ferrofluids for thermal scavenging and theconversion of heat to usable electrical energy. For both approaches we present concept designs for theharvesting of waste heat from thermal energy storage (TES) tanks, in order to demonstrate the potential of thetechnology.
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    Synthesis and characterization of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 and Fe3O4 nanoparticle ferrofluids for thermo-electric conversion
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2013-06-30T00:00:00Z) Sansom, Christopher L.; Jones, Paul M.; Dorey, Robert A.; Beck, C.; Stanhope-Bosumpim, A.; Peterson, J.
    Ferrofluids containing nanoparticles of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (MZ5) and Fe3O4 (magnetite) have been examined as potential thermal transport media and energy harvesting materials. The ferrofluids were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation and characterized by EDX to determine composition and by TEM to determine particle size and agglomeration. A range of particle coatings and carrier fluids were used to complete the fluid preparation. Commercially available ferrofluids were tested in custom built rigs to demonstrate both thermal pumping (for waste heat removal applications) and power induction (for power conversion and energy harvesting applications). The results indicate that simple ferrofluids possess the necessary properties to remove waste heat, either into thermal storage or for conversion to electrical power.