Study on highly efficient high-temperature steam harvesting using waste energy

In this study, a high-temperature steam generator (HTSG) of cyclone cylindrical type has been developed for energy harvesting applications. Solid refuse fuel (SRF) is considered the thermal energy source. The operating conditions are steam temperature of 773 K, steam pressure of 0.3 to 0.6 MPa, and mass flow rate of 10 to 35 kg/h. The pressure drop of steam in the HTSG is analyzed through numerical methods, which can control the outlet pressure of steam for hydrogen stack application based on the experimental results. The maximum heat transfer efficiency of the HTSG system is 66% at 0.3 MP and 35 kg/h, which can generate 306 tons per year of high-temperature steam. Moreover, the produced steam can be converted to 15.3 tons of hydrogen. The HTSG system can harvest 767 MWh of energy per year, and it is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption while minimizing the environmental impact.