In this project, we will research and develop the underpinning fundamentals of a new heat engine concept – a Leidenfrost Engine – that converts temperature differences into useful mechanical work using the Leidenfrost effect (Quéré, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech. 45, 2013). Building upon a recent proof-of-concept development by our groups (Wells et al., Nature Commun., 6, 2015a), this proposal aims at exploring the new concept of Leidenfrost Engines based on substrates with turbine shaped surface patterns, and will use two types of phase changes: i) thin film boiling (liquid-vapour phase transition), and ii) carbon dioxide sublimation (solid-vapour phase transition). We will investigate i) a range of surface texture designs to create effective Leidenfrost turbine surfaces, ii) the use of liquids and solids as “fuels” and “working substances” and iii) designs for batch and continuous mode operation. We will integrate controlled-levitation configuration (CLC) designs at small scales and fixed-bearing configuration (FBC) designs at larger scales into engine prototypes and establish clear principles for heat engines based on thin-film boiling and sublimation.
EPSRC: EP/P005705/1