The FRIENDSHIP project plans to develop 2 modular systems that will combine and contain some specific objectives, among them:
1. Highly available solar systems with a solar share of 30-40% combined with improved efficiency for low-cost PTC (+2%) & higher temperature (170°C) at reduced costs (70% of reduction for the PTC reflectors).
Current status of this objective: reflector materials from new suppliers are being tested to reduce costs of material and simplified procurement and production processes are being tested. The solar tracking system is being redesigned to reduce costs and increase flexibility in sizes and arrangements of solar fields. Two different coatings are being developed for the solar receiver: an electroplated Co-Cr coating and spray carbon nanotube coating.
2. High-temperature heat pumps (short term 200°C – long term 250°C)
Current status of this objective: for the development of the high-temperature lubrication free turbo-compressor, several potential suppliers have been considered and contacted. SINTEF has received a price offer from Rotrex, which is now our preferred supplier.
3. High performances chillers for cold production (from -10°C with an ejection chiller, to short term -20°C, long term-40°C with an absorption chiller).
Current status of this objective: for absorption chiller, CEA carried out numerical studies to develop GAX cycles that respond to the short-term objective of cold production at -20°C, as well as to the long-term objective of cold production at -40°C. CEA also finished the design of the 10 kWth prototype for cold production at -20°C, including the technical specifications of all components and instruments. Consultation and purchase are ongoing. The progress is in line with the planning of the project.
4. Combined and high-density heat storages (70 kWh/m3)
Current status of this objective: a eutectic mixture of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate was identified as a low cost and non-corrosive PCM suitable for FRIENDSHIP project specifications, and thoroughly characterized. Filling procedures are under development. Regarding the 50 kWh CHS prototype design, first an iterative design process involving FEM models and 1-D dynamic models allowed to select three promising design options. Then a preliminary engineering study was done to choose the best option. Finally, a very innovative design with concentric tubes and extruded aluminium inserts was selected.
Here a small description of the expected potential impacts of FRIENDSHIP:
1. Increased decarbonisation of the industrial sector and a reduced dependency on fossil fuels.
The chemical industry is the most energy-intensive branch of industry. FRIENDSHIP solutions will have a strong impact in the decarbonisation of the industrial sector and on the overall reduced dependency from fossil fuels.
2. Contribute to the development of relevant BREFs under the Industrial Emissions Directive
For the chemical sector, several BREF documents are relevant and FRIENDSHIP results will be adapted into several ones. Following the analysis of the BREFs documents of chemical and wood industries, FRIENDSHIP will provide a new SHIP technology chapter to be included in the updated version of the BREFs.
3. Reduction of emission of air pollutants (KPIs)
According to the BREF document analysis and the European Environment Agency, the main air pollutants from the European industries are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and volatile organic compounds (VOC). In hybridisation or substitution of combustion processes, installing SHIP200 or SHIP300 will have a positive impact on the reduction of the air pollutants.
