Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | 2003-3-51-1-1 | |
| Title | Low cost energy efficient compressors for refrigeration | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Professor D (David ) Howe No email address given Electronic and Electrical Engineering University of Sheffield |
|
| Award Type | 3 | |
| Funding Source | Carbon Trust | |
| Start Date | 01 January 2004 | |
| End Date | 30 December 2005 | |
| Duration | 24 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £197,258 | |
| Industrial Sectors | ||
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | ||
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Professor D (David ) Howe , Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Sheffield (99.997%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , Magnet Applications Ltd (0.001%) Project Contact , Höganäs AB, Sweden (0.001%) Project Contact , Merloni Elettrodomestici UK Limited (now Indesit Company) (0.001%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | The aim of the project is to develop low cost, energy efficient linear oscillatory compressors for use in refrigeration systems. This will be achieved by exploring established and novel linear motor designs and their production techniques, undertaking a detailed evaluation of candidate motors in conjunction with compressor dynamic characteristics, and addressing aspects related to system integration. | |
| Abstract | Refrigeration represents a significant and growing electrical load, currently accounting for ~14% of the total electrical energy consumption in the UK. Conventional refrigerator compressors are comprised of a rotary electric motor that in turn drives a reciprocating pump through a crank-piston. Their overall efficiency is low (~60%) owing to the inherently low efficiency of induction motors and the mechanical friction of the crank-driven piston movement. This project proposesto develop a novel and much simpler design of direct-drive linear motor compressor with a significantly higher overall efficiency (~85-95%) and at a competitive cost. The research will consider the merits of different motor technologies in terms of achievable operating frequencies and strokes, system efficiency, cost effectiveness and ease of integration. It will cover all areas related to the manufacture of techno-economically viable refrigeration systems for use in domestic/ commercial products. The findings will be embodied in technology demonstrators having appropriate ratings and operational characteristics. The main technical tasks can be summarised as: comparative trade-off studies on various linear motor topologies in terms of efficiency, costs and suitability for integration with linear compressor technology; dynamic modelling and evaluation of complete electromechanical/ thermodynamic system; design synthesis and optimisation of complete compressor system; prototyping of demonstrator linear motors/compressors and establishment of facilities to measure static & dynamic performance characteristics; development of low cost motor controller to match adaptively the cooling capacity of the compressor to heat loads so as to minimise energy consumption; performance and energy audits on current and proposed refrigeration compressor technologies. It is estimated that adoption in the UK of the proposed energy efficient compressor technology would reduce energy consumption in this product area by up to 50% | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 01/01/07 | |
