The project aims to improve the performance and operational capabilities of three core technologies, both as part of the integrated SUSHEAT system and as individual components. The following activities have been completed, marking advancements beyond the state of the art or representing significant progress for these technologies:
• Heat pump development:
o Sealing Solutions: Validated seals capable of 200 ºC operation, progressing toward the target of 250 ºC.
o Piston Rings: Specified configurations to minimize wear at high temperatures, supporting cost-effective maintenance.
o COP Optimization: Ongoing optimization for temperature ratios of 1.2–1.3 with initial performance mapping under project-relevant conditions.
• TES tank development:
o Bio-Inspired Design: Laboratory testing of TES tanks revealed PCMs with properties differing from literature, critical for material selection (Martínez et al., 2024, DOI: 10.10459.1/46694).
o Performance Gains: The first bio-inspired TES tank demonstrated comparable charging rates but 52% faster discharging compared to conventional designs (Cabeza et al., 2024, DOI: 10.3390/app14072940).
• CIT development:
o Generated a robust conceptual framework for simulating SUSHEAT-based systems was established (Butean et al., 2024, DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2024.05.087).
o Created the base of a digital twin for virtual lifecycle simulations, including data structures, APIs, and enhanced visualizations for real-time management.
o Designed a framework for detailed system analysis and AI-supported micro-management, supported by hardware requirements for I/O operations.
