GovWire

Cooling systems are one of the worlds single biggest users of power and contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Fluid Mechanics has been funded by the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) to design and build a demonstrator cooling system using their isothermal gas compression and expansion technology which has the potential to reduce power use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The cooling system which uses helium as the refrigerant gas will be used as an alternative to the vapour compressor cooling technology widely used today.

In the military context of ships and submarines this will make for a safer crew environment, by reducing the volumes and hazardous potential of refrigerant gases used in confined spaces. It will also reduce the power required for cooling which will reduce fuel burn, save costs and improve vessel endurance.

In many applications, particularly in remote off grid cooling for transport and shipping, running or power costs are a more important factor in the total cost of ownership than the upfront capital costs. As this cooling technology will be more energy efficient than alternatives this gives the technology a distinct cost and environmental impact advantage.

Michael Crowley, Managing Director, Fluid Mechanics says:

The funding and support we got from CDE has allowed us to build a demonstrator to prove our cooling systems viability. Were now much better placed to attract further funding and get our cooling technology to market.

Founded in 1997, Fluid Mechanics operates as a consultant engineering company specialising in hydraulics, pneumatics and systems engineering. Fluid Mechanics has 1 full time employee.

About CDE

CDE funds novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research. We work with the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to develop cost-effective capabilities for UK armed forces and national security.

CDE is part of Dstl.

View the original news story