Jerry Lynn Martin

Recent Developments in Microtechnology-Based Chemical Heat Pumps

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has an ongoing program focused on the development of compact chemical heat pumps based on the absorption cycle. Design and laboratory data suggest that, by taking advantage of the high rates of heat and mass transfer available in microstructures, we are able to radically reduce the size of a heat-actuated heat pump based on the absorption cycle. Current estimates suggest a size reduction of a factor of 60 compared with a conventional heat pump. High performance is achieved by using microchannel combustor technology, microchannel heat exchangers and ultra-thin-film micromachined contactors. Currently all of the components of the system have been demonstrated and PNNL is assembling a complete bench-scale version of the device. Successful development of this technology will enable a new class of compact, heat-actuated space conditioning systems that can be used for portable or distributed heating and cooling.