The EcoThermics Solution
The EcoThermics compressor is expected to be more efficient than any CO2 compressor in its size class, while providing additional economic value from application flexibility, manufacturability, scalability, modular add-on technologies and a small footprint.
EcoThermics CO2
transcritical compressor
Designated as a pilot manufacturing prototype, the AT54M compressor is available to select academic and OEM partners for lab and field testing and validation directed toward meeting specific application requirements. The current version is intended to be installed in “real world” field test applications prior to production under existing manufacturer trade labels.
Political, economic, and environmental pressures now place energy consumption, conservation, and the protection of our global environment at the forefront of global conscientiousness. We believe these are not stumbling blocks to economic progress, but rather stepping stones to uncharted achievement and exceptional opportunities.
EcoThermics compressor technologies are embodied in an advanced, sixth generation compressor prototype, the AT54M series. This pilot manufacturing prototype is available to select academic and OEM partners for lab/field testing and validation.
The AT54M has demonstrated robust durability, high efficiency and high power density under testing performed by world renowned Herrick Labs at Purdue University as well as EcoThermics’ Ohio research facilities.
EcoThermics compressor technologies encompass output ranges of 10-30 kW (3-7 tons) and is a critical, enabling component for OEM manufactured high-efficiency, sustainable heating and cooling products utilizing carbon dioxide, the natural refrigerant globally designated R744 for use in systems.
The EcoThermics compressor is differentiated from other CO2 approaches in several important respects. The multi-piston axial compressor design departs from conventional rotary, scroll, screw, reciprocating (piston/crankshaft) compressors designed for conventional synthetic refrigerants, which competitors are attempting to adapt for use with CO2. The EcoThermics compressor leverages expertise and experience in hydraulic pump technologies and was designed from the beginning to tolerate the high-pressure environment and particular thermodynamic requirements of CO2.
The compressor is durable due to an innovative design that addresses several common failure sources, and solves long-standing lubrication issues in a simple manner. It has a superior load bearing structure and other benefits such as high power density, manufacturability, durability, and performance efficiencies. Follow on technologies include mechanical energy recovery (i.e. regeneration) to reclaim and conserve compression energy normally lost in the compression cycle, promising up to a ~30% boost in efficiency.
"EcoThermics has one of the first successful high pressure CO2 prototypes in the heating and cooling industry. It's developing intellectual property portfolio will protect not only the compressor but many thermal transfer application systems that efficiently utilize CO2."
W.G. (Bill) Berlinger,
Strategic Licensing
Caterpillar Inc.
The compressor presents a fully modular platform scalable to many types of applications - fixed, mobile, portable and off-the-electric-grid operation via hydraulic power – with maximum flexibility of application for custom builds to meet a broad range of OEM specifications. This technology can be integrated into water and space heating and cooling systems for commercial and residential buildings, a variety of industrial processes, mobile/portable and military applications.
Greater energy efficiency, OEM application flexibility and long-life durability result in lower total cost of ownership.
With this compact and quiet compressor, OEMs can build a heat pump with a small physical and carbon footprint that provides end-user customers with long-term, sustainable solutions with a superior performance/cost profile. This competitive value proposition will drive strong market expansion of heat pumps as a market substitute for inefficient, conventional equipment, particularly into cold northern latitudes and new applications such as high temperature commercial water heating in most geographic markets.
OEM products can now deliver simultaneous hot and cold thermal energy via low-pressure liquid (glycol/water) piping loops. This presents a total system methodology for the distribution and conservation of thermal energy that expands traditional radiant “hydronic” heating to include cooling, enabling efficient and comfortable zone heating and cooling. Very high efficiency water heating and cooling for industrial processes and commercial and domestic applications will expand the heat pump market with utilizations not currently considered or possible with current HFC technology.
The world is changing and EcoThermics is on the front line.