Auxillary Heat & Power Systems

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HiETA sees an opportunity to exploit its unique design techniques, IP and license rights basedon Selective Laser Melting (SLM) for heat exchangers and engine systems. SLM is a form ofadditive powder layer manufacturing suitable for high performance alloys and constructingcrucial components of heat engines for the automotive sector.There are at least four distinct applications for the new engines: as Auxiliary Power Unit(APU) that can operate either off the exhaust heat of the vehicle’s main internal combustionengine or off a separate fuel supply (mainly large trucks, particularly in the USA); as an APUoperating off the main engine’s exhaust heat alone (cars); as an APU operating off the exhaustheat of the Range Extender of an electric or hybrid vehicle; or as a fuelled range extenderitself. The functions and benefits include generation of electrical power, elimination of thealternator, reduction in the size of the internal combustion engine needed, improved fuelconsumption, and reductions in emissions.Successful development will lead to other opportunities in micro power generation anddefence sectors.At present there is limited specialist design and production capability in the UK and for thistechnology generally and so developing the skill set and knowledge base to improve thissituation is an important additional goal.