Development of Corrosion Inhibitors for Absorption Heat Pumps

50854-98-I Development of Corrosion Inhibitors for Absorption Heat Pumps--Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc., 176 Waltham Street, Watertown, MA 02172-4809; (617) 926-6700 Dr. Joseph Gerstmann, Principal Investigator Mr. Andrew D. Vasilakis, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82519 Amount: $75,000 In order to compete effectively in the marketplace, advanced absorption heat pumps need to utilize low-cost materials of construction such as carbon steel. Due to the corrosive nature of the ammonia/water working fluid, a chemical inhibitor is required to protect carbon steel, which lacks the corrosion resistance of alloys such as stainless steel. This project will develop a non-toxic and environmentally benign corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in ammonia/water heat pumps. Phase I will identify new potential inhibitors and classes of inhibitors, will screen potential candidates, and will evaluate selected inhibitors in an innovative corrosion test apparatus. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A practical corrosion inhibitor is necessary to achieve long service life and acceptable cost of high-efficiency absorption heat pumps. It would provide an environmentally safe replacement for the hazardous heavy-metal inhibitors currently in use._