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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M38445/01
Title: THE PASSIVE USE OF PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS WITHIN REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
Principal Investigator: Maidment, Professor GG
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Coolers & Condensers Ltd Environmental Process Systems Ltd
Department: Engineering Systems
Organisation: London South Bank University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 2000 Ends: 30 September 2003 Value (£): 64,910
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy Efficiency Heat & Mass Transfer
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
In many vapour compression refrigeration systems, the part load efficiency is much less than the optimum. This is often due to mechanical superheat and condenser pressure controls which are required to ensure system stability at part load conditions.The novel system proposed in this research uses thermal storage 'phase change materials' in the evaporator and condenser of a conventional vapour compression system to produce stability at part load without the use of inefficient mechanical controls. This will produce significant running cost savings and reductions in primary energy consumption compared to the traditional system.The proposed research will investigate this concept. This will involve the development of an experimental test apparatus and a mathematical model, which will both be used to investigate the most suitable phase change material, the ideal PCM encapsulation method, the optimum heat transfer configuration and the economics of this concept.The ultimate aim of this research is to produce a low cost prototype system that could be easily retrofitted to existing plant or fitted to new equipment.
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Organisation Website: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk