Smart Exhaust Waste Heat Recovery Unit (SEWHRU)
ID: N24A-T009Type: Phase I
Overview

Topic

Smart Exhaust Waste Heat Recovery Unit (SEWHRU)

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: STTRPhase: Phase IYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2479595

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program focused on the topic of "Smart Exhaust Waste Heat Recovery Unit (SEWHRU)". The objective of this research is to develop and demonstrate a self-cleaning SEWHRU for internal combustion engines' flue gas, with temperatures ranging from 500 to 1200 °F. The technology aims to capture and transfer at least 50% of the heat from the exhaust flue gas to an intermediate working fluid, which can then be converted into useful work.

    The SEWHRU is intended for use in electric generation and/or heating and cooling processes. By effectively recovering and converting waste heat, the thermal efficiency of diesel engines can be increased, resulting in reduced fuel consumption for equivalent work. The SEWHRU design should address several challenges faced by existing waste heat recovery units (WHRUs), such as controlled flow rates of flue gas and working fluid, flue gas treatment, even distribution of flue gas, protection against overheating and condensation, counteracting pressure losses, and modular design for maintainability.

    The Phase I of the project involves developing a concept for the SEWHRU, evaluating its economic and technical feasibility, and demonstrating the design through modeling, analysis, and benchtop experimentation. The Phase II focuses on developing, fabricating, delivering, and testing a prototype of the WHRU at an appropriate scale, validating analytic models, and evaluating scalability up to 4000 Brake Horse-Power (BHP) marine diesel engines. The Phase III aims to assist the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use and developing a transition strategy for production-level manufacturing capabilities.

    The technology has potential applications in the internal and external combustion engine industry, electric power generation industry, and other manufacturing or production processes that generate low-grade waste heat. It can lead to lower operation and production costs while reducing environmental impact.

    For more information and to access the solicitation, visit the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities website: link.

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