Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project will develop an innovative refrigeration cycle to allow small scale refrigeration. The innovations expand on the ubiquitous Diffusion Absorption Cycle (DAC) already used in millions of camper vans. These units can be powered by heat from renewable energy sources such as solar thermal, waste heat, biogas, or biomass. The chiller has no moving parts and uses refrigerants with no global warming and zero ozone-depleting potential. The innovative Diffusion Absorption Cycle with Generator Rectifier (DACGR) provides higher efficiency, higher capacity and wider operating range than DAC. This will enable walk-in size or larger coolers and allows sub-freezing temperatures. Other applications, such as air conditioning, heat pumping, transport refrigeration, medical storage, ice making; and drying, are also possible. DACGR will benefit rural and agricultural communities, with less reliable grid electricity and/or high utility rates.Phase I testing demonstrated the bubble pump (a key component of the DACGR), and benefits of the novel generator/rectifier. In Phase II the full DACGR will be modeled, designed, fabricated, and tested. Application of DACGR with cold storage and anaerobic digester will be modeled.Energy Concepts is a world leader in absorption, and will apply expertise from industrial applications to the smaller DACGR. University of Alaska, plus Alaska Center for Energy and Power, has interest in promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, and resilience in rural Alaskan communities. With guidance from LARTA, ECC and its commercialization partners - Artic Solar; Solar Polar; NREL; Gaia Energy Research; and E3Tec- will turn this innovation into successful commercial product(s).
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Goals / Objectives
The new cycle, called Diffusion Absorption Chiller with Generator Rectification (DACGR) applies innovations Energy Concepts has developed for other, larger scale traditional absorption cycles, to the smaller scale DAC cycle. Basic cycle improvements that were proven out on lab bench apparatus in Phase I will be fabricated into a full scale, working prototype in Phase 2. A complete chiller cycle will be modeled, using the different options for heat input. Overall system interactions will be modeled, including anaerobic digester providing methane to the chiller, and solar thermal integration. Techno-economic analysis will be performed to quantify the costs and benefits of the new DACGR chiller for several types of community. The project team will reach out to key stakeholders in the propane refrigeration community to develop a commercialization plan to ensure a clear path forward to a viable commercial product.?
Project Methods
The project team will use the computer software packages, Aspen and EES, to model the component- and system-level design and thermodynamic performance of the innovative DACGR refrigeration cycle. The team will use metal working, welding, wiring, and painting to fabricate working prototypes of the refrigeration cycle, then a solar powered walk-in style cooler. The team will use additional computer modeling techniques to study the integration of a cold-climate anaerobic digester with the refrigeration cycle, by potential operating the refrigeration cycle as a heat pump in the cold months to keep the digester going. The team will also use community outreach, as in Phase 1, to learn the needs of Alaska villages regarding refrigeration and food storage, to make sure the selected power source matches the needs and capabilities of the intended site. Market research will also be done to understand the sales path, service needs, and financial realities of introducing a new type of refrigerator to the commercial market. Communnication between paroject sponsors, partners, and the larger target audience will be done, in as many ways as possible, to keep the project on track and make sure of a successful outcome.