Energy Efficiency

Miniaturization Technology for Binary-Fluid Heat Mass Exchangers

Background and Significance:
The objective of this research program is to develop novel energy-efficient systems with primary application in the space-conditioning industry. Secondary long-term goals include the exploration of applications for these systems and components for reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption in the chemical, agricultural and other energy-intensive industries. These issues have come to the foreground due to the global climate change problem, which has elicited urgent national and international attention. The specific approach being pursued in the present research program to mitigate this problem is the development of miniaturized absorption heat pumps, which are environmentally sound and energy-efficient alternatives to CFC-based, ozone-depleting space-conditioning systems. These systems are powered by recuperated waste heat or are gas-fired, as opposed to the electrical energy required for vapor compression systems, thus resulting in high energy efficiencies. They also have fewer moving parts. Thus, these thermodynamically attractive absorption systems have been implemented in large commercial applications. But unlike the situation for commercial chillers, the recent push toward residential absorption heat pumps makes the development of compact components essential. Designs for small-capacity applications must of course yield high heat and mass transfer rates, but necessarily with simple, compact geometries. This ongoing research program addresses this need.

Top