Lead Performer: Xergy – Harrington, DE
Partners:
-- Haier – Wayne, NJ
-- University of Delaware – Newark, DE
-- Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Total Funding: $1,788,290
Cost Share: $767,568
Project Term: September 2017 – September 2019
Funding Type: Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) – 2017 (DE-FOA-0001632)
Project Objective
Xergy will combine electrochemical compression technology with ionic liquid desiccant to provide the most efficient means of managing latent and sensible heat loads in air-conditioning (AC) systems. This technology replaces the standard mechanical compressor commonly found today in AC systems with an electrochemical compressor that utilizes fuel cell technology to enable efficient heat pump systems. This technology, coupled with the ionic liquid desiccant technology, will result in an efficient means of removing moisture due to its ability to regenerate with low grade heat. This project will validate a 5000W cooling system, with Oak Ridge National Laboratory providing system analysis to confirm its energy efficiency.
Project Impact
This project will improve the energy efficiency of commercial air-conditioning systems by >1 quad of energy savings. Because of the non-vapor compression technology, this system does not use fluorine refrigerants or synthetic refrigerants, working fluids known to leak out, harming the system efficiency and environment.
Within two years after program completion, there will be the capability to sell commercial units, and the project will have established four significant and strategic manufacturing platforms in the U.S. that do not exist today.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Antonio Bouza
Lead Performer: Bamdad Bahar, Xergy