Helium-Based Soundwave Chiller

Helium-Based Soundwave Chiller


Program:
BEETIT
Award:
$3,233,147
Location:
University Park, Pennsylvania
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
09/01/2010 - 07/31/2014

Technology Description:

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is designing a freezer that substitutes the use of sound waves and environmentally benign refrigerant for synthetic refrigerants found in conventional freezers. Called a thermoacoustic chiller, the technology is based on the fact that the pressure oscillations in a sound wave result in temperature changes. Areas of higher pressure raise temperatures and areas of low pressure decrease temperatures. By carefully arranging a series of heat exchangers in a sound field, the chiller is able to isolate the hot and cold regions of the sound waves. Penn State's chiller uses helium gas to replace synthetic refrigerants. Because helium does not burn, explode or combine with other chemicals, it is an environmentally-friendly alternative to other polluting refrigerants. Penn State is working to apply this technology on a large scale.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Penn State would have thermoacoustic freezers available in the market to increase the supply of environmental friendly energy efficient cooling technologies.

Security:

Increased energy efficiency would decrease U.S. energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels - strengthening U.S. energy security.

Environment:

Refrigerants with polluting emissions could account for up to 10%-20% of global warming by year 2050. Penn State's technology could eliminate the use of these refrigerants from commercial refrigeration systems.

Economy:

Widespread adoption of this technology could reduce energy consumption in commercial refrigeration systems - providing commercial entities with cost savings on energy bills, which ultimately can be passed onto the consumers.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Bryan Willson
Project Contact:
Robert Keolian
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
rmk10@arl.psu.edu

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Release Date:
03/02/2010