Page 19 - Climate Control News Magazine April 2022

Residential Air Conditioning
University creates C02 air conditioning system
THE CENTRE FOR Energy Technology (ZET) at the University of Bayreuth has handed over a CO2-powered air conditioning system to the Kulmbach Vocational School Centre (BSZ) in Germany for use in its operations and teaching.
The system, which was developed on the cam- pus of the University of Bayreuth, releases con- siderably less greenhouse gas than conventional air conditioning systems and exemplifies the great ecological potential of this type of system.
As a demonstrator, it will serve vocational training in the field of air conditioning and re- frigeration technology in Kulmbach.
“CO2 AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS ARE HIGHLY EFFICIENT.”
The project was funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection.
BSZ director, Alexander Battistella, said the air conditioning system provides pupils with ac- cess to the most up-to-date know-how research in the market today.
“As future specialists, they can use this sys- tem to develop an understanding of important energy technology issues that need to be solved while complying with strict ecological require- ments," he said.
“A first test run recently met with great inter- est among the students of BSZ. In class, they
learned about the ecological advantages of CO2 as a refrigerant and learned about current changes in European Union laws aimed at in- creasing climate protection.”
Government funding for the project totalled $364, 614 (€ 240,000) over three years.
The newly created Centre for Energy Technol- ogy (ZET) at the university will use the funds to undertake research on the use of environmen- tally friendly refrigerants for air conditioning in buildings, specifically CO2 as a working medium in decentralised air conditioning systems.
In comparison with the conventional refriger- ant R410a, the ecological balance of CO2 air-con- ditioning systems is impressive, according to ZET director, Dr Ing Dieter Brüggemann.
“Assuming weather and climate conditions typical for Germany, the greenhouse gas emis- sions of air conditioning systems can be re- duced by around 26 per cent through the use of CO2,” he said.
ZET studies show CO2 air-conditioning sys- tems could contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
"Researching and testing innovative energy technologies that are highly efficient in eco- nomic terms, and at the same time sustainably promote climate and environmental protec- tion, has been a central field of work at the University of Bayreuth for many years,” Brüggemann said.
“I am very pleased that, with this pilot project, we are building a bridge from university research to the practical training of pupils passionate about energy technology issues, who see their professional future in this field.”
Double digit
growth for
The Centre for Energy Technology is based
at the University of Bayreuth in Germany.
THE AIR PURIFIER market will surge at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1 per cent over the next 10 years.
Persistence Market Research has released a sales forecast for air purifiers through 2031 which is predicted to be valued at $US29 billion.
This is a significant increase on 2020 sales which were valued at $US11 billion globally.
The research firm attributed growth to a rise in pollution levels across the globe, urban- isation and the prevalence of respiratory dis- orders.
Although the high cost of air purifiers will hinder growth, the report said high-efficiency particulate air filter technology and carbon filter technology will grow in popularity over the next decade.
“Prime market players are focusing on de- veloping cost-effective air purifiers to target untapped markets with less spending poten- tial,” the report said.
"Demand for air purifiers is expected to see a rise in economies where per capita disposa- ble income is increasing and standard of living is also rising.”
ABOVE: The Dyson air purifier is just one of a wide range available today.
air purifiers
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS APRIL 2022
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