High Efficiency, JP-8 Fueled Refrigeration Cycles for Shelter Air Conditioning

The proposed JP-8 powered cooling technology was co-invented by ThermAvant Technologies, LLC and the University of Columbia-Missouri (MU). The technology is based on the ejector cooling cycle and has the following unique features: thermodynamically and fluid dynamically optimal working fluids for increased high heat transfer and reduced entropy generation; low-shock loss, momentum conserving ejectors designed specifically for the selected working fluids; rotational flow mixing chamber for increased refrigerant entrainment and improved heat transfer; and ultra-low thermal resistance evaporators to minimize superheat between working fluids and heat sources. This novel heat actuated cooling technology will enable the Department of Defense to reduce its fuel consumption of environmental control units in military shelter units by directly converting the thermal energy of JP-8 fuel into useful cooling without the need of expensive, inefficent electricity generation which powers existing environmental control units. If successful, this Phase I research project will lead to the development of heat driven air conditioners and chillers for military and commercial applications that can operate in extreme high temperature environments. 100% of the work will be performed in Columbia, MO by ThermAvant and MU.