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Modified Vacuum Rankine Cycle

Project description

Innovative system produces power from low- or medium-temperature waste heat

The industrial sector in Europe produces vast amounts of waste heat, which contributes to environmental pollution and global warming. Conventional power generation systems such as the Rankine cycle employed in large-scale power plants can only leverage residual heat with temperatures above 500 °C. This represents less than half of the total waste heat potential. The EU-funded MOVARC project aims to increase the recycling efficiency of unused heat. The project targets the development of a simple, affordable generator that can work by using any heat source at low and medium temperatures. The project innovation lies in the use of a vacuum chamber, which helps increase the overall efficiency of the system.

Objective

MOVARC is a new thermodynamic cycle (inspired in both Rankine and Stirling cycles) coupled to an innovative transmission design working to generate energy from industrial waste-heat and other mid-level renewable eat sources such as biogas. The new thermodynamic cycle is patent protected and its innovation lies in the use of a closed-system vacuum chamber that increases the overall efficiency of the system. MOVARC does not require a turbine for energy generation, instead it relies on a transmission system and lineal work outputs. Mathematical models and experimental tests on the TRL6 prototype indicate an increase of efficiency of η=8-9% over competing solutions. In other words, MOVARC cycles transform mid & low-heat resources (industrial waste-heat or biogas) into energy at higher efficiency than current technologies including organic Rankine cycles, Kalina cycles, and Supercritical CO2 cycles.
The lineal work generated by MOVARC is translated into rotational energy (via the patented transmission gear) and captured by a commercial electromagnetic generator to produce electricity. The transmission system that delivers the required linear-to-rotational exchange is also patented and was engineered for-purpose. The mechanical losses in the transmission are controlled using a novel bevel gear design with proven efficiencies in industry settings of η=98-99% for low RPM and near constant speed; both characteristics of MOVARC.
We estimated that turnover related to MOVARC will reach €7.00 million by 2024, generating profits of €1.75M cumulatively. It is equally foreseen that the consortium we will grow in employees (9 new hires planned), specifically, in the manufacturing and business development and the research team at Cobertrans. Improved efficiencies (up to 9%) and lower €/KWh generation allows MOVARC to have a remarkedly inelastic pricing.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

COBERTURA LOGISTICA DE TRANSPORTE SOCIEDAD LIMITADA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
CARRETERA DE ATECA A MUNEBREGA KM
50219 VALTORRES
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Noreste Aragón Zaragoza
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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