Feasibility of using barocaloric cooling for energy efficiency gains and zero greenhouse warming impact in commercial food and drink refrigeration

制冷和空调系统占全球能源使用量的17%。该项目旨在评估开发一种创新的高压制冷系统的可行性，该系统比替代的低温室变暖潜能值（GWP）碳氢化合物制冷系统更有效，从而显著降低运营成本和温室气体的间接排放。当固体在压力作用下吸收热量时，就会发生高压冷却。该项目将促进使用有机高压材料的原型冷却系统的开发，并允许评估开发零温室变暖潜能值（GWP）技术的可行性，同时达到或超过碳氢化合物低GWP制冷循环的效率。该项目的主要重点将是将高压冷却用于轻型商业制冷应用，如瓶子冷却和食品展示装置。然而，该项目也有可能适用于更广泛的制冷应用，如食品冷冻机、制冰机、工业冷却、制药制冷、空调和科学冷却器。该项目由剑桥大学（有机高压材料的发明者）和Barocal有限公司（高压冷却系统的开发商和制造商）合作进行。它将通过分包商精密制冷（一家商业制冷系统制造商）的参与，了解最终用户的要求。

Refrigeration and air conditioning systems account for 17% of global energy usage. This project aims to assess the feasibility of developing an innovative barocaloric cooling system which is more efficient than alternative low Greenhouse Warming Potential (GWP) hydrocarbon refrigeration, leading to significant reductions in operating costs and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases.Barocaloric cooling occurs when a solid absorbs heat under the application of pressure. The project will facilitate the development of a prototype cooling system using organic barocaloric materials, and allow for an assessment of the feasibility of developing the technology with zero Greenhouse Warming Potential (GWP), while matching or exceeding the efficiency of hydrocarbon low GWP refrigeration cycles. The prime focus of the project will be in the use of barocaloric cooling for light commercial refrigeration applications such as bottle cooling and food display units. However the project also has potential applicability to wider refrigeration applications such as food freezers, ice makers, industrial cooling, pharmaceutical refrigeration, air conditioning and scientific coolers.The project is being conducted as a partnership between the University of Cambridge (inventor of organic barocaloric materials), and Barocal Ltd (developer and manufacturer of barocaloric cooling systems).It will be informed of end user requirements by involvement of subcontractor Precision Refrigeration (a manufacturer of commercial refrigeration systems).