ericsson cycle heat pump - purdue research … · advantages:-does not use toxic...

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Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Eckhard Groll is the Reilly Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of theOffice of Professional Practice at Purdue University. He received his B.S. and M.S. fromRuhr-University Bochum and a Ph.D. from the University of Hannover. Dr. Groll wasawarded the 2013 Global Engineering Impact Award, 2007 Purdue University FacultyScholar Award, and the 2007 Ruth and Joel Spira Award. Dr. Groll's research interestsare the thermal sciences as applied to heating, ventilating, air conditioning andrefrigeration (HVACR) systems and equipment. Research areas include combustion,energy utilization, and thermodynamics.

A refrigeration machine or heat pump can be defined as any device that moves heatfrom a low temperature source to a high temperature sink. Depending on thespecific need, the heat absorbed in the low temperature source can be utilized toprovide cooling, the heat rejected to the sink can be used to provide heating, or bothcould be used simultaneously. However, current applications of refrigeration requirethe use of toxic refrigerants that are harmful to the environment or are flammable.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a heat pump system that is apractical application of the Ericsson cycle. It can be constructed primarily usingexisting equipment and technologies used by the HVACR industry. It has a hightheoretical and attainable coefficient of performance, operates at pressures similar toexisting heat pump equipment, and uses environmentally benign refrigerants.

The system is scalable and can be used for refrigeration, comfort cooling, andheating. Cryogenic applications are also possible. The machine can also be designedto operate as a heat engine using external combustion or virtually any other heatsource.

Advantages:-Does not use toxic refrigerants-Scalable-High coefficient of performance

Ericsson Cycle Heat Pump