Ice bank system with pulsating and flexible heat ex-changer (IPFLEX)
The project will develop a new ice bank concept. Instead of an often-used system generating an ice layer around pipes, the system developed in this project creates the ice formation on the outside of the flexible hoses. The brine that flows in these hoses is subjected to a pulsating pressure, which results in an expansion of the hoses and the ice released from the surface and rises up into the ice bank. The system will be developed for milk cooling.
The cooling efficiency will be increased due to an on average higher evaporating temperature and because a thick ice layer is not formed on the hoses. The cost will be lower, as cheaper materials with less joints can be applied. The ice storage will be independent of the actual ice production, which enables a possible larger storage, and the ice can be produced for a longer period of time, which enables the storage to be a part of a smart grid.
It is expected that the performance of the heat pump will be improved by 5-10 % due to the higher evaporation temperatures. Production costs are halved due to cheaper materials and less labor-intensive joints.
The project has developed a new ice bank concept. Instead of a frequently used system, which forms the ice around the pipes, this system is designed so that the ice formation occurs on the outside of flexible tubes. The brine in these tubes is subjected to a pulsating pressure, which results in an expansion of the surface of the tubes, which leads to a release of the ice from the surface, which then rises in the ice bank. The operation of the system is primarily designed for milk cooling, but it can also be useful in other contexts.
The concept has several advantages, and compared with traditional ice bank systems the cooling efficiency will be increased as the ice bank may be operated with a higher average evaporating temperature than if a thick ice sheet is formed on the pipes. Alternatively, the length of the tubes may be reduced. Moreover, the costs may be lower, since cheaper materials with fewer joints can be applied. The ice storage is operated independently of the ice production, whereby the storage capacity can be made larger, and the ice can be produced for a long period of time so that the storage can be a part of a smart grid solution or used with a smaller heat pump than if the ice is generated and stored on copper pipes.
It is expected that the heat pump efficiency might be improved by 5-10 % due to higher evaporation temperatures in dependence of the design. Production costs are likely to be halved due to cheaper materials and less labour-intensive joints.
The project investigates the performance and function of the ice generation and the ice dissipation is mainly investigated in terms of experimental research.
Key figures
Category
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| Rø-Ka Industri | ||
| ALFA LAVAL COPENHAGEN A/S | ||
| Primo Plast |
