Progress 06/01/14 to 01/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:We are attracting the interest of various organizations, state and private in order to raise funds to further leverage this on-going research. In addition, we are seeking partners, collaborators and joint ventures. We applied to the State of Connecticut for SBIR "matching funds" and obtained the long term, low interest loan of $30,000, which was used for market study and commercialization. Consequently, we ordered a professional market studyperformed by the organization Dawnbreaker, Inc. of Rochester, NY. We also established the contact with LARTA as advised by USDA. As a result, we have prepared Commwercialization Plan for Phase II proposal. The Principal Investigator, Dr. M Bergander has a substantial prior experience in international business and apart from US organizations, he also contacted many potential finance resources and partners in countries that are developing solar power, for example, India, Indonesia and fewcountries of Central Asia. Other contacts with potential possibilities include SABIC (Saudi Arabia) and Exponent Failure Analysis Associates of MD. The letter of support of our Phase II proposal was obtained from Secretary General of FOESEAA organization (Forum of Small Medium Enterprise Africa Asean) with a pledge to commit $500K contingent upon Magnetic Development, Inc. receiving Phase II award. The money will be spent on designing and fabrication of specialized, dedicated prototype of cooling system for storage of candle nuts and other crops in tropical conditions. This organization will also provide the venue for the evaluation of the prototype in the field. In case, research results in a successful commercial product, they are interested in securing the licensing rights for Indonesia and possibly their other member countries. Wehave also secured the support and funding for Phase III from a local manufacturing company, CyberResaerch, Inc. of Branford, CT. This is a company engaged in the design and production of industrial computers, flat panel LCD displays and data acquisition systems. They see the application of our technology to their outdoor digital display panels, working in warm climates, especially in Southern and Western US. Consequently, CyberResearch, Inc. had pledged the contribution of $600K during the Phase III period including the following: 1) provide executives from CyberResarch, Inc. to participate in a Phase III project monitoring committee, 2) provide economical engineering and design resources , 3) provide economical production resources to fabricate the first commercial units based on successful Phase II prototype including: manufacturing facilities, production labor, test equipment, inventory, goods in process, shipping and receiving, etc., 4) provide economical sales/marketing resources to assist in setting up and managing a sales and distribution network in the USA, develop marketing relationships with prospective OEMs & licensees, prepare sales brochures, design training manuals and websites. Changes/Problems:No changes in original approach were made What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project brings the opportunity for many education opportunities,itdemonstrates and promotes the use of renewable energies in remote communities with limited energy choices. We are planning to continue our educational activities initiated during Phase II, such as organizing seminars on renewable energy for local business people and homeowners, publishing articles in local press, participating in trade shows, exhibits. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Principal Investigator made several presentations about applications of solar energy to Connecticut communities, i.e. towns of Madison, Bethany and Guilford. In addition, he presented the technology to theSecretary General of the Forum of Small Medium Enterprise Africa Asean (FORSEAA) , Mr. Nico Barito, which resulted in this organization pledging the amount of $500K for development of dedicated prototype for tropical climate. The Principal Investigator, dr. Mark J Bergander had further presented this project and technology development to the students at University of Hartford, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraklow, Poland and Nazarbayev University in astana, Kazakhstan. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. The methodology of ejector design and system design has been developed by theoretical analysis, CFD simulation and laboratory experiments. Specificallty, the ejector was designed and fabricated and its operation was tested on the laboratory stand. As a result an ejector characteristic was obtained, which serves as an input to the entire system design. 2. Comparing the CFD modeling with experimental results, it was concluded that the developed methodology can predict with reasonable accuracy the performance of ejectors of various geometries and at different operation conditions. This is an important accomplishment of Phase I and one that makes possible the design of ejector-based refrigeration systems. The prototype design has been formulated for solar/heat driven refrigeration unit for nominal cooling capacity of 1 Ton of refrigeration. This will make Phase II much easier and quicker, since the it will start from ready design to components purchasing and assembly. It also brings the successful completion of the entire effort closer and more assured 3. The technical and economic validityu has been performed and in addition, the marketing study was completed. The result of this task was a Commercialization Plan as a paert of Phase II proposal, which we submitted to NIFA by the dead,line, i.e. february 25, 2016. 4. Phase II objectives were formulated and they are a part of Phase II proposal.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Bergander M., "Ejector Refrigeration Cycles: Classification of Thermodynamic Cycles with Ejectors", Handbook of Research on Advances in Refrigeration Systems and Technologies", Chapter 1, pp. 1-36, IGI Global, ISBN 978-1-4666-8398-3
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Bergander M., et al., "Experimental Investigations of Low-Temperature Driven Ejector for Isobutane", 2016 Purdue Conference - refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, July 2016.
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Progress 06/01/14 to 05/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:In parallel with the technical effort, we are trying to attract the interest of various organizations, state and private in order to raise funds to further leverage this on-going research. In addition, we are seeking partners, collaborators and joint ventures. In this period we applied to the State of Connecticut for SBIR "matching funds" and obtained the long term, low interest loan of $30,000, whichwas usedfor market study and commercialization. Consequently, we ordered a professional market study performed bythe organization Dawnbreaker, Inc. of Rochester, NY. + We also established an inituial contact with LARTA as advised by USDA. We had discussions with the organization regions20.org of California , involved in renewable energies and sustainability. The Principal Investigator, Dr. M Bergander has a substantial prior experience in international business and apart from US organizations, he also contacted many potential finance resources and partners in countries that are developing solar power, for example, India, Indonesia and few countries of Central Asia. Other contacts with potential possibilities include SABIC (Saudi Arabia) and Exponent Failure Analysis Associates of MD. Changes/Problems:No major changes in approach were made and no major peoblems were encountered during this research. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We discussed our project with the Dean of College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture, Univesrity of Hartford, Dr. Louis Manzione about incorporating the subject of ejector refrigeration to their courses on Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Submitted the paper for 24th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, Aug. 2015, Yokohama, Japan: M. Bergander, et al. "Investigations of 2-phase ejector operating with carbon dioxide in subcritical cycle". The paper was accepted for presentation and publication. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The technical scope of work has been completed and therefore we will concentrate now on preparation of Commercialization Plan as a part of Phase II proposal. One important issue will be to secure outside investment is possible. In order to do that, we will be contacting all companies and individuals named in completed Market Research Report. In addition, we will continue working on Final Report and Phase II proposal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The technical scope of work as shown elsewhere in tasks 1 through 4 has been completed, and as a result, a detailed 58-page technical report was prepared. It will be included as a part of a Phase I Final report. Below, the most significant findings are described. The project deals with feasibility study of refrigeratorfor short time storage of food products for either post-harvest storage or for local retail market, especially in rural areas. The existing technology in most cases uses conventional refrigeration systems that consume a large amount of electricity, they are not only expensive but use harmful working substances. In the proposed technology, the refrigerated storage system may be applied even in areas without access to electricity, and we consider it as a considerable step towards better food accessibility to vulnerable populations as well as increase of product shelf-life. Our refrigeration technique will have especially broad application for cooling at the field before the product is shipped to the market or storage warehouse (this is often referred to as "pre-cooling"). Some highly perishable products such as broccoli, ripe tomatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, strawberries, peaches, and plums must be cooled as soon as possible after harvesting and therefore filed refrigeration becomes an utmost importance. For the purpose of this project, we have been concentrating on solar-powered cooling systems for small-to-medium size warehousing facilities that are capable for cooling and cold storage of agricultural products that require moderate temperature range, i.e. 4÷15 °C. This includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and diary products, baked products, etc. It is expected that a line of refrigeration units will be developed and manufactured in various sizes, i.e. from 1 to 5 tons of refrigeration. 1. The general concept of refrigeration system: While the schematics of the proposed system was shown in the proposal, here we concentrated on evaluating working fluids (refrigerants) for their thermodynamic properties in required range of temperatures and pressures. At this time, four refrigerants were considered, all of them producing minimal or zero greenhouse effect and ozone depletion effect. They were: 1) R-600a - isobutene, 2) R-245fa, 3) R1234ze, 4) Carbon dioxide. 2. Preliminary geometry of the ejector: On the basis of the results of calculations and computer simulations we concluded that: 1) The application of refrigerant R-1234ze requires similar ejector dimensions in comparison of the geometry predicted for isobutane. Therefore this refrigerant may be thought as an alternative for isobutane for safety reasons. 2) The achievable condensation temperature are higher for isobutane than for refrigerant R-245fa. This is a strong surplus of isobutane. The similar conclusion may be also drawn for the refrigerant R-1234ze. 3. CFD calculations of ejector: The geometry of the ejector was analyzed by means of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modeling. The calculation mesh was generated by means of commercial code Gambit, ver. 2.4. The numerical calculations were carried out with use of ANSYS FLUENT 14. Based on the above predictions it may be concluded that proposed ejector geometry may be suitable for the efficient operation in the analyzed application of the ejection refrigeration unit for the cold chamber driven by solar heat 4. Preparing and modifications of a test stand The experimental rig presented in Fig. 1 below was modified especially for the case of isobutene. The main elements of the stand are listed in the figure caption. Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of testing stand: 1 - vapour generator, 2 - evaporator, 3 - secondary fluid mass flowmeter, 4- primary fluid mass flowmeter, 5 - condenser, 6 - liquid refrigerant storage, 7 - glycol pump, 8 - refrigerant pump, 9 - glycol mass flowmeter, 10 - throttling valve, 11 - ejector, 12 - solar collector, 13 - regenerative heat exchanger, 14 - electrical heater During the experiments 100 readings at the steady-state conditions were taken and averaged to make one experimental run. 5. Conducting laboratory experiments: The experimental results of the ejection refrigeration device operating with isobutene were obtained. The experimental investigation covered three series. During experiments the evaporation temperature was kept constant, teI = 9.1 °C, teII = 7.0 °C and again teIII = 7.2 °C, The condensation temperature was varied between approximately tc = 23°C ÷ 33 °C. The motive stream temperature at saturation condition was set as tgI = 77 °C, tgII = 63.7 °C and tgIII = 63.5 °C. 6. Preliminary design of solar driven cold storage chamber On the basis of the cycle modeling, CFD analysis of the ejector operation that confirms reliable operation of the ejector under wide range of operating conditions as well as systematic experimental investigations, the preliminary selection of the equipment for the ejection refrigeration unit was carried out. The results of the selection calculations were summarized in Table below. Note that because the geometry as well as operating parameters for the case of R-1234ze and isobutene are similar, the proposed selection for the case of isobutene may be thought as appropriate also for the case of refrigerant R-1234ze. Preliminary selection of the elements of the ejection refrigeration unit Type Geometry [mm] Surface area/capacity Thermal capacity Mean temp. diff. [K] Generator x4 Vitosol 200 F 2380x1050x90 Absorber area 2.31m2 3.5 kW evaporator 1,5P12-1750E 270x135x1750 8.25 m2 2.0 kW 6.7 economizer B8THx30/1P-SC-S 119x289x99.9 1.41 m2 1.7 kW 6.5 condenser SLH 64 750x830x608 28.5 m2 15.1 kW 3.9 pump Hydracell M 03 Max capacity 678 dm3/min - - On the basis of the above selection the configuration of the prototype is proposed. The preliminary surface area of the solar collectors which are the source of the motive thermal energy for the system is 10 m2. Note that the system requires the electric power to drive the liquid pump. Therefore the application of PV could be a source of the necessary amount of electric power which is approximately 1 m2 of surface area of PV. The proposed system configuration in 3D diagrams are presented in Figures 2 and 3 below: Fig. 2. The prototype ejection refrigeration unit dedicated for the solar thermal driven cold chamber: E - evaporator; C - air-cooled condenser; internal heat exchanger; G - vapor generator. Fig. 3. The prototype ejection refrigeration unit dedicated for the solar thermal driven cold chamber 7. Summary and recommendations: The conceptual design of the ejection refrigeration unit for the solar thermal driven cold storage chamber was completed. It was showed that isobutene (R-600a) and refrigerant R-1234ze offers the same cycle efficiency in the wide range of the operation parameters and these fluids can be thought as the best options among the other considered fluids. The geometry of the motive ejector for the analyzed application was predicted and analyzed. The refrigeration cycle calculations were also provided, which is the basis for the preliminary components selection. Also, on the basis of the CFD numerical modeling it was shown that reliable operation of the ejector under analyzed operating conditions is possible as well as the numerical prediction were validated by experimental data. The preliminary selection of the components of the ejection refrigeration unit were provided. The 3D configuration of the early prototype of the solar thermal driven cooling chamber were provided. On the basis of the presented results the schedule of the Phase II of this Project will be provided. Since the features of the proposed technology of the solar thermal driven cooling chamber were clearly demonstrated in this Report, this will be the basis for the establishing of the cooperation with industrial partner for the Phase II of the Project.
Publications
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