Net Zero Compare

Rotation Heat Pump K7: High Efficiency, Zero Refrigerants

Written by Polina Martinuka
Published September 26th, 2024
4 min read

Summary

ecop Technologies specializes in developing energy-efficient, refrigerant-free heat pump systems designed for industrial applications. Their technology focuses on maximizing energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impact, particularly in sectors that require significant heating and cooling capabilities.
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Details

Name
Rotation Heat Pump K7
Date of establishment
2016
Organization

Deep dive

Product Overview

The Rotation Heat Pump K7 utilizes a novel approach based on the Joule cycle (also known as the Brayton cycle), which differs from conventional heat pumps that use the Rankine cycle. This single-phase process keeps the working fluid in a gaseous state throughout, offering several advantages:

  • It achieves extremely high compression efficiency (over 99%) by using centrifugal force in a rotating system.

  • The technology is protected by 68 patents across 6 patent families.

  • It uses an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and non-flammable inert gas as the working fluid instead of harmful refrigerants

Key Features

  1. Refrigerant-Free Operation: Unlike traditional heat pumps that rely on chemical refrigerants with high global warming potential, the K7 uses a mechanical process involving a rotating heat exchanger, eliminating the need for harmful refrigerants and significantly reducing environmental impact.

  2. High-Temperature Heat Output: The K7 can achieve high-temperature outputs, making it suitable for industrial applications that require substantial heating capabilities, such as drying processes, pasteurization, and other high-heat industrial needs. It has a flexible temperature range within a single machine and is capable of producing heat from 0°C to 200°C

  3. Energy Efficiency: The K7 is designed to be highly energy-efficient, leveraging its unique rotation technology to minimize energy loss and maximize heat transfer efficiency. This translates into lower operational costs and reduced energy consumption for industries. A single plant can save an equivalent amount of CO2 that would require 100,000 trees to absorb annually.

  4. Compact Design: The rotating mechanism allows for a more compact system compared to traditional heat pumps, making it easier to integrate into existing industrial setups without requiring significant space or infrastructure changes.

  5. Waste Heat Recovery: The K7 can effectively capture and repurpose waste heat from various industrial processes, enhancing overall energy efficiency and contributing to more sustainable operations.

  6. Modular and Scalable: The system is designed to be modular, allowing for scalability depending on the specific heating requirements of the application. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to food processing.

Technical specifications

Conventional heat pump

Rotation Heat Pump

Efficiency / COP (dependent on the exact integration)

2,5 – 5,0

4,0 – 7,0

Temperature range, sink (output)

0°C to +80°C

0°C to +200°C

Maximum temperature rise

60K

100K

Flexible temperature range with one machine

no

yes

Significant source cooling possible

no

yes

Summer and winter operation

no

yes

Tools

Often harmful to the environment / toxic/flammable

environmentally friendly, non-toxic, incombustible inert gas

Maintenance advantage

medium

high

Installation advantage

low

high

Purchase costs and integration effort

medium

medium

Source: ecop.at

Applications

  • Industrial Heating: Ideal for applications requiring high-temperature heat, such as in manufacturing or processing industries.

  • District Heating: Can be used in district heating networks to provide efficient, large-scale heating solutions.

  • Waste Heat Utilization: Captures and reuses waste heat, reducing energy costs and carbon footprint.

Awards and recognitions

  1. Climate and Environmental Awards: Recognized for its impact on climate protection, ecop Technologies has won the TRIGOS Award (2023), the European Environment Award (2018), and the State Award for Environmental Technology (2018/19).

  2. Innovation Recognitions: The company has been celebrated for its technological innovations with awards such as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Innovators Award (2022), Mission Innovation Austria (2022), and the Innovation Award of the World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies (WSSET) (2022).

  3. Industry and Pitching Competitions: ecop Technologies earned 3rd place at The Business Booster Conference in Lisbon (2022) and has won several other innovation accolades, including the Mercur Innovation Award in Green Economy (2016) and the Innovation Award of Upper Austria.

  4. Early Recognition: The company’s commitment to sustainability was recognized early on with the VIE Energy Globe (2010) and the Daphne Environmental Technology Award in Gold (2016).

  5. National Honors: ecop Technologies was honoured as “Winners by Passion” by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in 2017 and 2018, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in the green technology space.

Funding and Support:

In addition to its numerous awards, ecop Technologies secured €8.5 million in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. This highly competitive grant is awarded to companies with high-impact technologies that address critical challenges, such as climate change and industrial decarbonization. The funding supports the further development and commercialization of ecop’s Rotation Heat Pump, which has been recognized for its significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrial heating processes. This financial backing underscores the European Union’s confidence in ecop Technologies’ ability to drive decarbonization efforts and transform the energy landscape.

Sources: ecop.at, tech2b.at, ecop.at, ecop.at, ecop.at

Pricing

Generally, industrial heat pump systems are custom-engineered, and prices are influenced by the complexity of installation, integration with existing infrastructure, and any additional features. It is best to contact ecop Technologies directly for a quote that will be tailored to the specific requirements of your facility, energy needs, and operational goals.


Polina Martinuka
Written by:
Polina Martinuka
Sustainability Research Analyst
Recently graduating from a university in the UK, with a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism, Polina brings a unique blend of investigative skills, the ability to analyze complex data and environmental awareness.