Projects / Programmes
MagBoost: Magnetocaloric booster micro-heat pump for district heating system
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.13.05 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Process engineering |
Cryogenics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
heat pump; magnetocaloric effect, district heating; energy efficiency; decarbonization
Researchers (18)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
In the future, a large part of the supply of heating or cooling in urban areas will be provided by low-temperature district heating systems. In addition to renewable and waste sources, heat pumps, which are the most energy-efficient heat generators, will be used to increase the temperature required for hot water production. Similarly, heat pumps will serve as one of the main means of heating and cooling low or zero energy systems in rural areas. The vast majority of heat pumps are based on vapor compression technologies. The biggest problem with these technologies are the refrigerants, which have a considerable influence on the global warming. Another problem regards low energy efficiency related to small devices. Although great efforts are being made to find new refrigerants, the number of realistic alternatives is unfortunately extremely small. Vapor compression cycle systems are also a source of noise pollution. Numerous worldwide studies show that magnetocaloric cooling or heat pump technology is the best or most developed alternative to vapor compression technologies. Since this technology is still in development, research and activities are urgently needed to properly demonstrate the application of the technology. It is also necessary to solve the basic problems of heat transfer and magnetic field generators, which due to the inefficiency of current solutions prevent the applied research and related development of the technology. Therefore, the main objective of the proposed research project is the development of a magnetocaloric booster heat pump as a support unit in the thermal substation of a low temperature district heating system. The advantage of magnetocaloric technology over the current technology of vapor compression systems is therefore the possibility of higher energy efficiency and the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants. The magnetocaloric technology is also an important advantage in urban environments, as it enables vibration-free operation. The research and development of the proposed project will initially focus on addressing two major obstacles to magnetocaloric technology. The applicant possess the ideas and the patent application, which offers the possibility of significantly improving the power density and performance of existing active magnetic regenerators. With the help of knowledge and ideas we will overcome the problems of rotating permanent magnet assemblies from rare earths. For this purpose we will develop an energy-efficient, static and fast-oscillating magnetic field source without rare earths. An efficient hydraulic system will be designed and implemented. For the variable and multi-parametric operation of the electronic, electromechanical and hydraulic elements of the system, we will develop control electronics that will also act as the interface between the user and the heat pump of the substation. The magnetocaloric heat pump will be integrated into the substation and tests will be carried out under various laboratory conditions. This will allow appropriate control adjustments and preparation for realistic operating conditions. Finally, we will integrate the magnetocaloric heat pump booster and the substation into the district heating system to demonstrate its operation. Due to the broader range of applications of the developed technology, we will analyze the possibilities of using the technology and implementing it in other niches, such as household appliances (tumble dryers, dishwashers and washing machines) and for the heating and cooling needs of residential, low energy buildings. Due to the importance of scientific research in the fields of advanced energy materials, cooling and heat pumps and the development of future district heating systems, the results will be adequately disseminated through a wide range of media and high quality publications. We also intend to use the classical and several advanced approaches to communicate the results to the various stakeholders repre
