Sustainable Small Chillers for Agricultural and Rural Applications

Project Summary USDA NIFA SBIR Phase II Proposal FY 2024 Submitted by: Energy Concepts Company LLC with collaboration from University of Alaska Fairbanks; Alaska Center for Energy and Power; Arctic Solar; Solar Polar; NREL; Gaia Energy Research; and E3Tec SUSTAINABLE SMALL CHILLERS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL APPLICATIONS This project will develop an innovative refrigeration cycle to allow small scale refrigeration. The innovations expand on the ubiquitous Diffusion Absorption Cycle (DAC) already used in millions of camper vans. These units can be powered by heat from renewable energy sources such as solar thermal waste heat biogas or biomass. The chiller has no moving parts and uses refrigerants with no global warming and zero ozone-depleting potential. The innovative Diffusion Absorption Cycle with Generator Rectifier (DACGR) provides higher efficiency higher capacity and wider operating range than DAC. This will enable walk-in size or larger coolers and allows sub-freezing temperatures. Other applications such as air conditioning heat pumping transport refrigeration medical storage ice making; and drying are also possible. DACGR will benefit rural and agricultural communities with less reliable grid electricity and/or high utility rates. Phase I testing demonstrated the bubble pump (a key component of the DACGR) and benefits of the novel generator/rectifier. In Phase II the full DACGR will be modeled designed fabricated and tested. Application of DACGR with cold storage and anaerobic digester will be modeled. Energy Concepts is a world leader in absorption and will apply expertise from industrial applications to the smaller DACGR. University of Alaska plus Alaska Center for Energy and Power has interest in promoting energy efficiency renewable energy sustainability and resilience in rural Alaskan communities. With guidance from LARTA ECC and its commercialization partners - Artic Solar; Solar Polar; NREL; Gaia Energy Research; and E3Tec- will turn this innovation into successful commercial product(s).