The project aims to optimise and construct a prototype driven by industrial waste heat, suitable for sustainable cooling, water production and pollutant removal. Through the utilisation of an innovative moist airflow system (MAS), the proposed system will harness low grade waste heat (80°C or over) released from any industrial coal/biomass fired boiler. The harnessed low grade energy will be used to drive an “ejector cooling system” and generate clean water. Moreover, by making use of a novel photocatalytic MOP, the industrial pollutants (CO2, SOx, NOx, POx) can be removed effectively and the clean air will be released into the atmosphere. Economically, the proposed project will help to improve energy efficiency and offer a more affordable energy system to most existing industrial processes. In addition there will be environmental impact through, improved air quality and better living conditons for UK and global citizens.

The Climate Change Act 2008 commits UK to reducing emissions by at least 80% in 2050 from 1990 levels. Industrial processes require large quantities of thermal energy, much of which is eventually exhausted to the environment. Waste heat recovery has attracted great interest in past 30 years. The proposed project aims to develop a low-grade waste heat driven CHP-ORC system integrated with a unique heat transfer MAS system and thermochemical energy storage, suitable for heating, electricity generation and excess waste heat storage. The development will involve the use of off the shelf components such as a modified scroll compressor, brazed plate heat exchangers, pumps and small ducts, significantly reducing the capital cost of the system. Development of system will begin with thermodynamic modelling of the system design, and progress to implement a scaled prototype. Monitoring and cost/value analysis will be conducted based on real performance, in order to determine its commercial viability. The project will benefit the UK in terms of advancing technology, economic opportunities and positive environmental impact.

This proposed project is aimed at developing an effective energy storage system to establish an equilibrium between variable renewable energy supply and consumer energy demand, therefore acting as a grid buffer. The proposed project will involve the design, optimisation, construction and testing of the first-of-its-kind prototype power generation/energy storage system. The system will use a novel High Temperature Phase Change Material (HTPCM) which is suitable for thermal storage in the temperature range of 300-450. Various HTPCMs will be tested and the one which responds as required will be selected. A range of PCM heat transfer enhancement methods will be investigated to help increase the effective surface area for heat transfer. The performance of the HTPCM/Brayton power will be evaluated. The successful implementation of this HTPCM technology will enable the possibility of producing electricity using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, biomass, while maintaining continuity of supply.