Gas Turbine - Stage 1
A 1.5kW unit to demonstrate the use of MGA storage is under construction at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The unit will use C-Zn storage modules, assembled into a 600 x 600 x 450mm block (162L). This storage block will be capable of storing and supplying 64MJ of energy (equivalent to approximately 100 lead-acid automotive batteries). The aim is to use the stored heat to run the 1.5kW steam impulse turbine shown in the figure.
In stage 1, a small electric boiler will supply saturated steam at 0.5 MPa, 152°C and a smaller MGA block will act only as a superheater, bringing the steam temperature into the range for optimum operation of the small turbine. In later trials, the electric boiler will be removed and the MGA storage unit used to directly convert the condenser outlet stream (water at 40°C) into superheated steam to operate the turbine.