Exergyn Heat Pump

Project Description

Exergyn is seeking to develop a demonstrable small-scale prototype of a novel heat pump (“Exergyn HP”) based on its existing Exergyn DriveTM waste heat conversion system. The Exergyn HP concept will utilise similar Shape Memory Alloy (“SMA”) technology to the Exergyn Drive™ but operated to enable thermal energy to be extracted. No refrigerants or materials with high GWP are required in the design. Preliminary models show that a CoP of over 6 (and up to 8) can be attained using the proposed system. This project will aim to demonstrate the concept at a bench top level, which if successful, will form the precursor to scaling the technology up to commercial size. The target output of the demonstrable HP will be an increase in output fluid temp of >10oC at a CoP of at least 3. Once achieved, optimisation of the cycle and system will allow for significant increases in these values. The Exergyn HP would utilise many of the same components of the Exergyn Drive™, (cylinders, SMA, pistons, transmission etc.), and utilise some of the existing IP, whilst developing a further suite directly related to the HP technology. The SMA assembly would be identical to that in the Exergyn Drive™ but some SMA development may be required to optimise efficiency for the Exergyn HP since a high latent heat of transformation is required (This is different to the Exergyn DriveTM, where low latent heat values are favourable). However, there are SMA blends, available today, which would immediately deliver market-beating performance.