Experimental and numerical investigation on micro gas turbine as a range extender for electric vehicle

Range Extender has been proven to be an attractive option to prolong the driving range of Electric Vehicle (EV) and reduce baneful emissions in automobile industry. Compared with the conventional Diesel-Engine-based Range Extender (ICERE), the Micro-Gas-Turbine-based Range Extender (MGTRE) demonstrates less emissions and higher power-to-weight ratio, about 0.48–0.8 kW/kg. This paper formulates a systematic design methodology for MGTRE and explores its feasibility in EV. Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) performances including thermal efficiency and transient characteristics are analyzed and simulated based on a simulation model. The experiment is conducted to contrast with simulation results. A comprehensive simulation model of Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) based on vehicle dynamic is constructed to evaluate the contribution of MGTRE to REEV performance, especially for driving range based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The results show that the thermal efficiency of MGT can reach 35% when the recuperator effectiveness is 0.7, the pressure ratio is 3.2, and the turbine inlet temperature (TIT) is 1152 K. Moreover, it can be further improved by increasing the effectiveness of the recuperator. MGTRE is effective to prolong the driving range of EV, so it is desirable and urgent to be implemented in EV.