Page 35 - Climate Control News Magazine Feb 2020

"THIS COLLABORATION WILL HELP US EXPEDITE THE PRODUCTION OF A NOVEL HEAT EXCHANGER TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN OPERATE IN WET AND DRY OR HYBRID CONDITIONS." MICHAEL TENBROCK, BALTIMORE AIRCOIL.
Assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Depart- ment of Energy, Daniel R. Simmons, said the Oak Ridge National Laboratory excels at trans- lating scientific discoveries into new technolo- gy partnerships with industry.
"These collaborations drive new innovations that address challenges and speed deployment of technologies into the marketplace where they will have the greatest impact in saving energy andboostingtheAmericaneconomy,”hesaid. ✺
Meanwhile, Enginuity Power Systems is developing a prototype of a commercially ready micro combined heat and power, or mCHP, device with an internal combustion engine fuelled by natural gas.
ORNL’s BTRIC facility provides the knowledge needed in equipment modelling, design-for- manufacturing, equipment-grid interaction modelling, environmental chambers and heat exchanger testing loops as well as a fully equipped research house that emulates real life occupancy, according to Jacques Beaudry-Losique, president, Enginuity Power Systems.
“With this support, we will be able to launch the next generation of our mCHP device for large-scale commercialization,” he said.
VENDING MACHINE PROJECT
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) will evaluate environmentally friendly refrigerants for vending machines in North America, mitigating leak risks and assessing potential hazards including flammability.
NAMA executive vice president, Eric Dell, said NAMA and the NAMA Foundation are collaborating with researchers at ORNL because they have the recognized expertise needed to assist owners and operators of vending machine, equipment manufacturers and distributors throughout North America with the use and production of equipment that safely and efficiently uses next generation refrigerants.
NAMA executive vice president, Eric Dell.
VAPOR COMPRESSION SYSTEM
Emerson Climate Technologies will accelerate the development of next-generation architecture for advanced heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and dehumidification coupled with energy storage and integrated water heating through a vapor compression system that utilizes long-term, climate-friendly refrigerants.
Hung Pham, director of integrated technologies, Emerson Climate Technologies, said by collaborating with ORNL on advanced technologies for HVAC systems, they are developing a modular system with energy storage for grid-responsive capabilities.
ORNL’s director for energy and environmental sciences, Moe Khaleel.
“We’ll be able to accomplish our objectives on an accelerated
timeframe by working with the only user facility in the nation that has
the technology and resources capable of developing this type of equipment,” Pham said.
HEAT EXCHANGER TECHNOLOGY
Baltimore Aircoil Company will work on advancing next- generation heat exchanger technology that can be deployed in an evaporator cooling system, reducing the size of the system and decreasing energy and water usage by 30%.
“This collaboration will help us expedite the production of a novel heat exchanger technology that can operate in wet and dry or hybrid conditions,” said Michael Tenbrock, global technology R&D director, Baltimore Aircoil. “ORNL scientists will accelerate our understanding of emerging new materials and their potential for heat transfer applications.”
Collaborations with the five industries are anticipated to conclude within two or three years of each project’s implementation.
The Department of Energy’s building technologies director, David Nemtzow.
Natural Refrigerant Feature
Taylor Commercial Foodservice will collaborate on the development of climate-friendly refrigerants for food processing and dispensing machines in quick service restaurants and food retail. The company’s senior project engineer, Stephen Wadle, said more than three million refrigerated food/beverage processing, dispensing and vending machines in the US consume up to 70% of energy through the compressor.
“By working with ORNL, we will be able to develop environmentally friendly refrigerant solutions that meet domestic and international expectations,” Wadle said.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS FEBRUARY 2020 35