New cooling technologies that promise to revolutionize the way climate control is approached are emerging as the HVACR industry faces continuous pressure to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. One in particular is solid-state cooling, which is based on shape memory alloys (SMAs). Exergyn, Irish technology firm, is developing this. SMA solid-state cores are nontoxic, nonflammable, cannot leak, and zero GWP. According to Exergyn, they’re so durable, they can not only outlast the equipment they are being used in, but they can also be reused in new equipment. The prototypes are undergoing lab testing. Another technology involves air, as refrigerant. An integrated ultra-high-speed “compander” system, which combines a compressor and an expander, achieves ultra-low temperatures of -60°C within just one hour, and was developed by the Korea Institute of Energy Research. The traditional method involves evaporating a liquid, but this new method compresses a gas (air) and then goes through the heat exchange and expansion to produce a low-temperature gas. This enables cooling but, without the need for liquid refrigerants. This cool, high-pressure air is then expander in an expander, reducing it to the low temperature and pressure needed. Finally, that chilled air is delivered to the necessary area required for cooling. The cycle continuously repeats to provide a steady supply of cooled air for the specific cooling applications.

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