Page 32 - Climate Control News Dec-Jan 2020

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Chiller performance using graphene science
IMAGINE IMPROVING CHILLER perfor- mance using quantum science.
Sydney-based Promek Technologies and their partners have developed a Graphene Nanofluid that does just that.
Promek Technologies director, Tony Power, said very few people are aware of the developments in heat transfer fluids as they relate to HVAC.
“There have been a few basic heat transfer technologies already showing good results in Eu- rope and the United States that improve the per- formance of chillers and closed loop heating cir- cuits,” he said.
Power said Promek has partnered with gra- phene manufacturers and local universities to develop Graphene Nanofluid.
Power said that the concept of a Nanofluid which is extremely conductive simply increases the thermal conductivity of water.
“This means that it takes much less time to re- duce the temperature of chilled water in large systems. Less energy used by the chiller to do the same work,” he said.
“Water is an excellent working fluid and is easy to transport and cheap, that’s what we have al- ways used.
“However thermal conductivi- ty of water is extremely poor at only 0.55 (w/mK).”
Graphene which is used in Promek GTP Nanofluid is over 5,000 W/(mK).
“Chiller manufacturers have worked hard de- veloping heat exchangers to cope with the poor thermal performance of water and are now pret- ty much at their limits,” Power said.
Promek GTP Nanofluid, which is soon to be re- leased, has shown during repeatable trials chill- er energy reduction of 8.8%.
“Now that is outstanding,” Power said.
“We expect our final product to exceed 11% and the numbers will be much higher for heating circuits and glycol.
“This will change the way facilities managers and building owners can access energy savings.”
Promek GTP Nanofluid will be available in 2020.
Promek GTP Nanofluid will have a larger reach than just HVAC as any closed loop water system will benefit from this technology.
The Graphene platelets are manufactured lo- cally using smart world leading technology pat- ented and fully Australian-owned.
“The science and the chemistry are solid, we are now just trialling different carbon for maxi- mum thermal benefit,” he said.
“This has been a three year project with lots of R&D and trials, we are proud to be part of this leading Australian Nanoscience.”
Contact Promek Technologies 1300 782 761
Mini expo
MORE THAN 70 participants at- tended a training day at Simons Boil- ers last month.
The event included presentations from Simons engineering experts and the service team. Speakers explained how to select the right heater or boiler for your project, design principles, inte- grating the boiler into building ele- ments with a focus on fluing as well as installation tips.
A full range of gas and electric steam boilers were on display as well as a new range of hot water heaters.
The mini expo showcased the new UNIMAX hot water heater which has just been released to market. The stain- less steel heater has a net efficiency ex- ceeding 108%.
Moreover, the Unimax is cascadable up to 16 heaters offering a higher turn- down. It can be installed indoors or out- doors and has a slide out burner for bet- ter servicing and functionality.
TOP AND RIGHT: there was a broad selection of products on display including the new UNIMAX hot water heater which has just been released to market.
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