A R&D Program for Advanced Industrial Heat Pumps

Abstract

The overall goal of the DOE Industrial Heat Pump Program is to foster research and development which will allow more efficient and economical recovery of waste energy in industry. Specifically, the program includes the identification of appropriate heat pump applications within the industrial sector and the subsequent development of heat pump technologies to meet the industrial requirements.

The initial phases of the program were directed towards extending the technology of the more conventional heat pump systems, such as, Rankine and Brayton cycles so as to provide near-term results. In addition to system studies, material and component developmental programs were undertaken that would potentially result in enhanced performance and reduced costs. Research in more sophisticated and higher risk heat pump systems are being pursued on a longer term schedule. Novel mechanical systems, such as sterling cycles and magnetic heat pumps and advanced chemical systems, such as zeolite-water absorption cycles and heat of reaction systems are currently being investigated.

This paper provides the program rationale and details the logic employed in designing a sound and cost-effective R&D program. A R&D flow diagram is structured with a series of major milestones or go/no go decision points. The paper traces the systematic progress of a technology from conception, through the various developmental phases until final prototype tests.