Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R94909/01
Title:	Wind Energy for Thermal Processing: a Feasibility Study
Principal Investigator:	Pritchard, Dr C
Other Investigators:	Salter, Professor S
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Conoco
Department:	Sch of Chemical Engineering
Organisation:	University of Edinburgh
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 May 2002	Ends:	30 November 2003	Value (£):	60,713
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Heat & Mass Transfer Wind Power
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Environment Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This research is a study of the feasibility of windpower utilisation in thermally-driven processes. The shaft power of a wind turbine is delivered hydraulically to a variable-capacity refrigerant compressor. Circulating refrigerant abstracts thermal energy from the environment (airstream or ocean) and upgrades this to a temperature up to 150C, a level suitable for thermal processes such as drying, steam raising or evaporation. With a coefficient of performance of 1.8 - 3 (depending on source and delivery temperatures) this is potentially a highly effective way of utilising wind energy. The technologies of digital displacement hydraulics and variable-capacity heat pumping have been developed and demonstrated at Edinburgh University: this study examines how they could be harnessed in thermal processes that may be wholly operated by renewable energy. A particular application would be in MSF desalination; but other applications will be evaluated.The research programme will comprise modelling and dynamic simulation of the wind-hydraulics-heat pumping systems; developing a process design for appropriate thermal processing which will accommodate the variable heat input; and economic and TEWI analysis to compare this with the alternative, conventional processing system. It will be carried out with support from an oil and gas major that has renewable energy interests. Should the proposed system prove feasible, we envisage that it will lead to more detailed design studies for specific processing options
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Organisation Website:	http://www.ed.ac.uk