High-Speed Microturbine with Air Foil Bearings for Residential CHP
Technology Description:
Mohawk Innovative Technology, Inc. (MiTi) and its partners at the University of Texas at Austin and Mitis SA will develop a 1 kW microturbine generator for residential CHP based on MiTi’s hyperlaminar flow engine (HFE) design. Key innovations of the design include highly miniaturized components operating at ultra-high speeds and a viscous shear mechanism to compress air that is mixed with natural gas and undergoes a flameless combustion process that minimizes emissions. The hot combustion gas drives the turbine and generator to produce electricity and heat water for household use. Besides using the viscous shear-driven compressor and turbine impellers and flameless combustion, the turbogenerator uses permanent magnet generator elements and air foil bearings with very low power loss, all of which are combined into a highly efficient, low emission, and oil-free turbomachine for residential combined heat and power that requires little or no maintenance.
Potential Impact:
If successful, MiTi’s project will facilitate development and commercialization of economical, efficient, and durable CHP systems for residential use. These advancements support progress toward ARPA-E’s overall goals as follows:
Security:
Innovations developed in this project could help households and businesses become more energy self-reliant and less susceptible to energy-related outages through distributed, local generation of power and heat.
Environment:
Widespread adoption of high-efficiency residential CHP systems could decrease overall primary energy consumption and therefore reduce CO2 emissions associated with electricity generation by up to 10%.
Economy:
Cost-effective natural gas-fueled residential CHP systems could offer consumers lower electricity and heating bills.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. David Tew
Project Contact:
Hooshang Heshmat
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
hheshmat@miti.cc
Partners
University of Texas, Austin
MITIS, SA
Related Projects
Release Date:
10/16/2014