Development of Technical Solution for Automated Compact Cogeneration Plant Using Search Engineering

The application of search design methods in the development of new products and technologies can significantly reduce the time and cost of engineering. When implementing new methods for the production of electric and thermal energy, designing of an appropriate device presents a challenge. The article describes the process of creating of such a device using the engineering and physical method of search design. The method involves constructing a model of the physical principle of operation and defining elementary functions of the structural elements associated with the model. This allows obtaining a large variety of possible options for technical solutions of the desired device, followed by the determination of the most promising options for the implementation using computing. Thus, the development of design options for a new device is reduced to a deterministic sequence of actions, leading to lower qualification requirements to the developers of new products. The theoretical foundations of the method can also be used for teaching students and novice designers. A device has been developed where the collateral energy, which is developed when receiving electric power, is used for obtaining thermal energy, with the electric power produced being redistributed for additional water heating by means of an adaptive control system in the absence of need for the use thereof by external consumers. This increases the efficiency of the plant. Owing to a more effective use of the thermal and electric energy received when fuel is combusted, the energy efficiency and functionality of the system increase generally. A prototype is designed and made for the pilot study of the device developed, which consists of a gasoline electric generator, a heat exchanger, a TEH (thermal electric heater), and pumps, as well as a control system on the basis of a microcontroller and sensors. The forward estimate of the operability of the plant developed has been carried out and also the influence of various factors on the efficiency of water heating has been investigated.