Refrigeration Technology and Natural Refrigerants

Laser Doppler anemometry measurements
© Fraunhofer ISE
Laser Doppler anemometry measurements to analyze the spatial velocity distribution of outflowing propane from a defined aperture. The investigations show the spatial and temporal distribution of the refrigerant in the room and support the development of safety concepts.

By using climate-friendly low-GWP refrigerants such as fluorinated unsaturated hydrocarbons (HFOs) and natural refrigerants such as propane, water or methanol, the current regulatory framework is taken into account.

In addition to the energetic optimization of compression circuits, the development of safety concepts and the reduction of the required quantity of refrigerant are the central challenges so that climate-friendly and combustible refrigerants can be used more widely.

As an alternative to compression cycles, we investigate adsorption processes for heat pumps and refrigeration plants using water as refrigerant.

Our R&D services include:

  • Methods for leakage detection and prevention, risk analysis
  • Concepts for reduction of filling quantity
  • Thermodynamic evaluation of components (heat exchangers, compressors) with climate-friendly refrigerants
  • Acoustic and structural dynamic evaluation of components (compressors) and devices
  • Fatigue analyses of connections and cold circuits
Lena Schnabel

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Dr.-Ing. Lena Schnabel

Refrigeration Technology and Natural Refrigerants

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5412

Thore Oltersdorf

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Dr. Thore Oltersdorf

Compression Cycle

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5239

Christian Sonner

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Christian Sonner

Safety Concept

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5530

Gerrit Füldner

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Dr. Gerrit Füldner

Adsorption Chillers

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5527

More Information on this Research Topic

Climate Friendly Refrigerants for Heat Pumps