Research

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Low-Global Warming Potential Refrigerants: Characterization and Component Design

  • Condensation of zeotropic mixtures with lubricants
  • Optimization of cross-flow refrigerant-to-air heat exchangers with zeotropic mixtures
  • Compressor design and optimization for use with low-GWP refrigerants from -80°C to 200°C
  • Experimental characterization of refrigerants, lubricants, and heat transfer fluids thermophysical properties

Thermal Systems in Decarbonization

  • Industrial waste heat recovery and upgrading through high temperature heat pumps up to 200°C
  • Residential and light-industrial heat pump design and development for broad implementation of low-GWP fluids to decarbonize heating up to 80°C
  • International Energy Agency Heat Pump Technologies Project, “Optimal Heat Pump Design and Operation" https://heatpumpingtechnologies.org/project66/

Transportation and Power Generation Thermal Systems

  • Air-to-air recuperator and two-phase cooling designs for PEM fuel cells
  • Air-to-air heat exchanger development and testing
  • Optimization of energy systems on cruise vessels
  • Data management for and optimization of industrial-scale generator cooling systems

Testing Infrastructure

  • Thermo-Physical Property Characterization:
    • A3 refrigerant-safe, stainless steel tubing, pressures up to 100 bar
      • -80 °C to 190 °C
      • Up to 150 bar
      • 0.25 to 50 cP viscosity

  • Condensation Test Stand: Heat Transfer, Composition Shift and Influence of Lubricants
    • A3 refrigerant-safe, stainless steel tubing, pressures up to 100 bar
    • 25 to 60 °C condensing temperature
    • 190 to 450 kg/m2-s
    • In-Line Analysis:
      • Gas chromatography
      • Speed of sound
      • Density and Viscosity Capacitance