Researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed a new type of heat pump , a flexible heat pump technology , which could help households save on their energy bills and contribute toward net-zero emissions goals . In a new paper published in the journal Communications Engineering , the researchers outline how their flexible heat pump technology provides an elegant and low-cost solution to the problems of current heat pumps by integrating heat storage - a small water tank and a coil of copper tube . The water tank recovers some excess thermal energy produced during the pump ’ s operation , and stores it as an additional heat source for the heat pump ’ s operation later . The recovered heat has a much higher temperature than the outdoor air that provides the heat source , and it can be reused as a temporary heat source , substantially reducing the pump ’ s power consumption . For air source heat pump applications , the recovered heat stored in |
the water also allows the flexible heat pump to run continuously during defrosting . That makes it more efficient and effective than the current generation of heat pumps , which interrupt the heat supply during defrosting while still consuming electricity . The researchers have demonstrated the advantages of their new heat pump by building a working prototype using off-the-shelf components . Thorough testing against current-generation heat pump designs has shown their design to be around 3.7 % more efficient than the current design with a relatively low heat supply temperature of 35 ° C . When the supply temperature increases , so do the amount of energy recovered , improving the system ’ s efficiency and saving more power . The team ’ s analysis predicts that , after optimisation , it could be up to 10 % more efficient than current products when the heat supply temperature increases to 65 ° C . |
Researchers at CERN have been awarded funding to continue the development of 3D printed cooling system components as part of the AHEAD project . The AHEAD project , which consists of CERN and 5 other partners , aims to produce lightweight , smart heat exchangers with a reduced part count by use of AM processes . AHEAD is one of several projects funded under the second phase of the ATTRACT program which is intended to spin off research technologies into commercial applications . The AHEAD project will build on previous research conducted in phase one of ATTRACT , where a CERN research team had developed smart pipe technology . The Smart Wall Pipes and ducts ( SWaP ) project ( pictured above ) used 3D printing to manufacture smart |
pipes with sensors embedded inside the component . The reduction in size and increase in complexity of these parts means they can be placed in tighter spaces , closer to the systems intended to be cooled . This results in increased performance and could offer fuel-saving benefits in aerospace and increased efficiency in industrial refrigeration applications . The research was intended to lay the groundwork for a new generation of smart fluidic elements , compatible with existing standard hydraulic circuits , and capable of providing measurements of parameters in the fluid with the embedded fluid sensors . The SWaP project will therefore serve as a stepping stone for phase 2 , to develop new heat exchangers to a higher technological readiness level , and eventually ready for market . |