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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	EP/P510713/1
Title	A Revolutionary Rotary Ericsson Heat Pump/Engine
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Energy Efficiency(Other) 100%;
Research Types	Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (General Engineering and Mineral & Mining Engineering) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Professor S Riffat No email address given Architecture and Built Environment University of Nottingham
Award Type	Standard
Funding Source	EPSRC
Start Date	01 October 2016
End Date	30 September 2017
Duration	12 months
Total Grant Value	£98,670
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	East Midlands
Programme	Energy : Energy
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Professor S Riffat , Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Dr Y Su , Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham (0.001%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract	The proposed project is aimed to investigate an innovative heat pump utilizing the Ericsson thermodynamic cycle in earlyconcept stage. The proposed system is a new technology that could reduce the energy demands in many areas. Theproposed project fits the scope in engines & thermodynamic cycles, and energy efficiency.The proposed mechanical heat pump utilizing the Ericsson thermodynamics cycle would have near Carnot Cycle idealefficiency due to unique innovations of the design:1) Flat rotors that create the optimum heat exchange area;2) Independent Induction Motor Generators allow continuously variable rotor rotational velocity and thus compression ratio,volume, and compression rate, allowing near isothermal compression and expansion;3) Continuous cycling of the fluid allows for near Isobaric heat exchange in varying conditions;4) Efficient and simple Induction Motor-Generators - requiring no mechanical linkage and allowing the device to behermetically sealed with the inner stator within, greatly increasing service life;5) Separate, compression, heat exchanger, and expander chambers mean no wasted work on 'dead air', and no thermalcreep between parts of the device, thus eliminating efficiency losses of other systems;6) Continuous cycling with constant fluid compression, heat exchange, and expansion, unlike other systems;7) Use of clearance seals eliminates traditional sealing issues. Only four moving parts, no valves, and hermetically sealingthe device and allows very long service life.The proposed Ericsson heat pump would provide efficient and environmentally friendly cooling. The majority of coolers,refrigerators, and air conditioners today are based on the vapour compression cycle using CFC's (Freon). Althoughefficient, the use of CFC's has significant detrimental environmental issues and its discontinued use is mandated. Theproposed Ericsson system would provide an extremely low maintenance, highly efficient engine able to draw energy fromsolar, geothermal, waste heat, and most any other energy source. The engine would be silent and vibration free, making itapplicable to many other applications.The development of the proposed Ericsson heat pump/engine would provide huge global market opportunities for which theUK can develop and grow innovative businesses to deliver world-leading solutions.The unknown factors and risks in this development make it difficult for the partners to take on and the Innovate UK fundingwould provide the essential support to enable the consortium expertise areas to come together and create a novel systemcreating many jobs across the supply chain with energy consumption per unit cut by 40%, Payback time: 1.5 to 3 years, and saving about 20 tonnes of CO2 per unit (5kW) per year, achieving UK's Government target
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	30/11/16