Ceramic heat cell
Encyclopedia
A ceramic heat cell, also known as Caloric Porous Structure Cell (CPSC), is a ceramic device to convert thermal enegy to mechanical work
by combustion
of, in principle, any fuel
that can be vapourised and pre-mixed with air. The cell is designed to work without flame, which keeps emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide
, and nitrous oxides extremely low. Exhaust gas can be recirculated, which further reduces emissions.
A ceramic heat cell made by German firm Enginion is claimed to operate at a moderate 1200 °C, generate a maximum of 30 MW/m3, with output varying from 5% to 100% of this, responding in 5 milliseconds. Emissions are claimed to be well below 10 parts per million even without exhaust gas recirculation. A glow plug is used to start the cell.
Mechanical work
In physics, work is a scalar quantity that can be described as the product of a force times the distance through which it acts, and it is called the work of the force. Only the component of a force in the direction of the movement of its point of application does work...
by combustion
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
of, in principle, any fuel
Fuel
Fuel is any material that stores energy that can later be extracted to perform mechanical work in a controlled manner. Most fuels used by humans undergo combustion, a redox reaction in which a combustible substance releases energy after it ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air...
that can be vapourised and pre-mixed with air. The cell is designed to work without flame, which keeps emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
, and nitrous oxides extremely low. Exhaust gas can be recirculated, which further reduces emissions.
A ceramic heat cell made by German firm Enginion is claimed to operate at a moderate 1200 °C, generate a maximum of 30 MW/m3, with output varying from 5% to 100% of this, responding in 5 milliseconds. Emissions are claimed to be well below 10 parts per million even without exhaust gas recirculation. A glow plug is used to start the cell.