Feasibility of using barocaloric cooling for energy efficiency gains and zero greenhouse warming impact in commercial food and drink refrigeration

Refrigeration and air conditioning systems account for 17% of global energy usage. This project aims to assess the feasibility of developing an innovative barocaloric cooling system which is more efficient than alternative low Greenhouse Warming Potential (GWP) hydrocarbon refrigeration, leading to significant reductions in operating costs and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases.

Barocaloric cooling occurs when a solid absorbs heat under the application of pressure. The project will facilitate the development of a prototype cooling system using organic barocaloric materials, and allow for an assessment of the feasibility of developing the technology with zero Greenhouse Warming Potential (GWP), while matching or exceeding the efficiency of hydrocarbon low GWP refrigeration cycles. The prime focus of the project will be in the use of barocaloric cooling for light commercial refrigeration applications such as bottle cooling and food display units. However the project also has potential applicability to wider refrigeration applications such as food freezers, ice makers, industrial cooling, pharmaceutical refrigeration, air conditioning and scientific coolers.

The project is being conducted as a partnership between the University of Cambridge (inventor of organic barocaloric materials), and Barocal Ltd (developer and manufacturer of barocaloric cooling systems).It will be informed of end user requirements by involvement of subcontractor Precision Refrigeration (a manufacturer of commercial refrigeration systems).