In Michigan, the United States, two researchers have won the Boston Innovation Prize for the design of a low-cost, energy-efficient method of cooling and dehumidifying residential and small commercial spaces. Mr. Norbert Müller, assistant professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Mr. John Barrie, of the Appropriate Technology Collaborative, collaborated on the award-winning project.

“The technology used for this air-conditioner is radically different,” Mr. Müller said. The appliance uses as the refrigerant water vapour, referred to as R-718. Water vapour can be more efficient than traditional refrigerants, but engineering the compressor is difficult and usually expensive. The researchers invented a way to make an economical compressor that is small and lightweight by designing a novel turbo compressor woven out of high-strength fibres and integrated with a motor. “It gives wonderful control. It is efficient and compact,” said Mr. Müller. “Another plus for the new R-718 technology is that by experience it is surprisingly quiet.” The contribution of Mr. Barrie, an architect and industrial designer, was on how air-conditioning functions in the real world.

Mr. Müller and Mr. Barrie want to develop prototypes of the air-conditioner as additional funding for development becomes available. Contact: Mr. Russ White, University Relations, Public Relations Office, Michigan University, 403 Olds Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1047, United States of America. Tel: +1 (517) 432 0923; E-mail: russ.white@ur. msu.edu.

Source: news.msu.edu

The Society of Automotive Engineers International Cooperative Research Programme, which is sponsored by major automotive manufacturers, recently released a report summarizing results of its industry evaluation of hydrofluoro olefin (HFO)-1234yf, a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant co-developed by DuPont. The report validated that HFO-1234yf is safe to use in mobile air-conditioning, and that, of all the proposed alternatives considered, HFO-1234yf has significant environmental benefits. The report concluded HFO-1234yf offers “the greatest potential to meet environmental and consumer needs.”

HFO-1234yf has a dramatically lower GWP than the R-134a refrigerant used currently, and the best overall lifecycle climate performance globally, which makes it the preferred environmental solution. Since it is a near drop-in replacement for R-134a, it is also a practical choice, keeping costs down for both automakers and consumers. An agreement is expected in early 2009 to accelerate the commercial introduction of improved air-conditioning systems using HFO-1234yf.

DuPont estimates the use of HFO-1234yf refrigerant in new cars has the potential to save more than 2,200 million litres of fuel annually – the equivalent of taking approximately 1.5 million cars off the road each year, based on equivalent cooling and energy performance and global adoption of HFO-1234yf by the year 2017. HFO-1234yf is expected to replace R-134a in automotive air-conditioning systems as early as 2011, when a European Union directive comes into effect requiring the phase-out of R-134a in all new type vehicles.

Source: www.prweb.com

The TemplifierTM water heaters, from McQuay International in the United States, reduce energy costs by recovering waste heat and making it available for space heating and domestic hot water. Suitable for hotels, hospitals, healthcare centres, schools, athletic facilities and manufacturing plants, McQuay Templifier units with scroll compressors range from 500 to 3,000 MBh and can heat water up to 71ºC compared with 60ºC for competitors.

The Templifier’s hermetic scroll compressors use R-134a refrigerant, which has no ozone-depletion potential, and feature low sound levels. An optional hot-gas bypass allows unit operation down to 10 per cent of the full-load capacity. As Templifier units heat water more economically than fossil fuel or electric-resistance heaters, they can reduce the burden on boilers and/or cooling towers, thereby eliminating or delaying a capital equipment expense when increased heat production is needed. Contact: McQuay International, P.O. Drawer 1551, Minneapolis, MN 55440, United States of America. Tel: +1 (763) 5535 330; Fax: +1 (763) 5535 177.

Source: news.thomasnet.com

The coolants commonly used in refrigerators or air-conditioners are either harmful to people or the environment. Almost all coolants available require energy-eating compressors and lots of heating coils. Engineers at Pennsylvania State University, the United States, have developed a new method of refrigeration that doesn’t require a compressor. The method uses the change from disorganized to organized that occurs in some polar polymers when placed in an electric field. In natural state, the molecules of these materials are randomly positioned (disorganized). When electricity is applied, these molecules become highly ordered and the material gives off heat and becomes colder. When the electricity is turned off, the material reverts to its disordered state and absorbs heat.

The researchers reported a change in temperature of about -5ºC. Repeated randomizing and ordering of the material combined with an appropriate heat exchanger could provide a wide range of heating and cooling temperatures. While the actual temperature where these experiments were performed was around 70ºC, which is a little high to use in a refrigerator, the researchers indicate that there are many different types of polar polymers, and at least some of these could be functional at lower temperatures.


Source: www.peswiki.com