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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number 2003-3-86-2-1
Title Dev of prototype for convective thermal wave absorption technology
Status Completed
Energy Categories Energy Efficiency(Other) 50%;
Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial) 50%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 20%;
Applied Research and Development 80%;
Science and Technology Fields ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor RE Critoph
No email address given
School of Engineering
University of Warwick
Award Type 3
Funding Source Carbon Trust
Start Date 01 February 2004
End Date 30 January 2007
Duration 35 months
Total Grant Value £199,373
Industrial Sectors
Region West Midlands
Programme
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor RE Critoph , School of Engineering, University of Warwick (100.000%)
Web Site
Objectives The University of Warwick offers a new type of heat pump that utilises ammonia, a refrigerant that has no greenhouse gas effects and can be powered by a variety of energy sources such as gas, waste heat or solar power with consequent significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The immediate objectives of this project are to demonstrate a nominal 10kW Convective Thermal Wave Adsorption (CTWA) chiller on the University campus and to meet reduced manufacturing cost targets. The project will be considered successful after a commercially viable air-conditioning unit has been in operation for one year.
Abstract CTWA is a heat pump technology developed by the University of Warwick based on the adsorption of ammonia into active carbon. The carbon dioxide emissions associated with the use of this technology are substantially lower per unit of heating or cooling delivered compared with other systems, such as those using mechanical vapour compression. After ten years of development, the CTWA technology has reached a level of maturity such that commercialisation could be successful. Previous funding contributions have been made by both industrial partners and the DTER Future Practice Scheme. Collaborators have included a number of blue chip UK organisations within the energy sector. To meet the University s objective of providing affordable and environmentally friendly products, the cost of manufacturing has to be radically decreased to create a commercially viable unit. This project aims to develop and demonstrate a versatile heat pump that can be sold at an acceptable retail price. The reduction in manufacturing costs will come about through improvements in the materials used for construction, the engineering design and modifications to the process. Crucial to achieving this is the collaboration with an experienced manufacturer, Classic Coils Limited, which is subcontracted to undertake redesign work and make a number of components for the heat pump unit that are not currently available commercially. The first production model will be installed and its reliability tested within the University campus for a minimum of twelve months. After project completion, volume production will be progressed either by a partnering company or through a strategic alliance
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 01/01/07