Cleanfield researching a renewable energy driven heat engine

Cleanfield Alternative Energy Inc. has entered into a research collaboration agreement with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and the Ontario Centers of Excellence (OCE) to develop a novel renewable energy based power generation system running a new trilateral cycle. The research project will involve: developing conceptual designs, analyzing thermodynamic performance aspects and costs, building and testing a prototype system, optimizing and improving for real-scale applications for power production purposes, and commercialization by Cleanfield.

The research team focuses on a compact, multi-purpose sustainable power generating system, consisting of a renewable energy based heat source and an advanced trilateral cycle using a combination of NH(3)-H(2)O working fluids. The system will be much more efficient (up to 30%) than the conventional organic Rankine cycles which have overall efficiencies of 8%-10%, respectively. The efficiency of the novel engine will be further increased up to 90% through some multi-generation options and including some new designs of the system components. This system will be quite applicable for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications.

Cleanfield CTO Mihail Stern remarked, "The research collaboration between Cleanfield and UOIT research team will open a great pool of opportunities in developing new technologies as well as new products. The successful result of this research will constitute the core of a diversified line of products that will be delighted to add them to our "green" portfolio."

Dr. Ibrahim Dincer, UOIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering and project leader of the research collaboration, commented, "We are in an era where we face global challenges and do need more efficient, more cost effective, more environmentally-benign and more sustainable energy solutions. The partnership we are in will make these happen, develop a novel technology to overcome power production crisis, and help Canada reduce greenhouse gases in particular and the world in general."

"OCE has been involved in a collaborative partnership with Cleanfield for five years, facilitating the research and development of its core technologies," said Dan McGillivray, Managing Director of OCE's Centre of Excellence for Energy. "Supporting the Ontario Innovation Agenda, we are pleased to be working with this dynamic company and a top academic research institute like UOIT to develop new and innovative technologies that are poised to make an impact on the growing clean energy global market."

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