David E. Claridge, Director

Energy Systems Laboratory

CATEE 2015

Energy Systems Laboratory

An applied research laboratory focused on

energy efficiency

• An engineering “Teaching Hospital”

• Develops innovative technologies

• Commercializes affordable results for industry

• Funded by contracts for research and

engineering services

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24681012141618202224

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Whole Campus Demand (kW)

Hour

Date

Hourly Demand Profile for July 1997

(Prior to CCSM)

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Architectural Engineering

• New undergraduate and graduate degree

program coming at A&M

• Will offer specialties in

HVAC/Mechanical, Electrical/Lighting,

and Structures

• Program Director hired: Dr. Morad Atif

Molecular Membrane Air Conditioner (MMAC)

• Zeolite membrane permits water vapor to pass

through - blocks most air passage

- Acts as a “sieve” for water vapor to dehumidify air

without the energy penalty of condensation

H2O

O2

N2

Adsorption

Diffusion

Desorption

Zeolite Pore (~0.35 nm)

Membrane

<2µm thickMetal support

~50µm thick

MMAC Operation

• A very green process

• No refrigerants

• High Efficiency (“SEER”s from 17 to 40+ in future)

• Cost effective (targeted to eventually cost less than

conventional)

Testing Verifies It Works As Expected6

Cool

And Dry

AirSensible

Cooling

w/ Fan

Cooling

Tower

Cooling

Water

Pump

Dehumidification

Unit

Vacuum

Pump

Water

Vapor

Humid

Air

Low

Humidity

Air

Liquid

Reservoir

Liquid

Pump

Condenser

Liqui

d

Non-Condensable

Gas

Compressor

Status: Bench Prototype Built

Future Development

• Supported by - DOE Advanced Research Projects Agency –

Energy ARPA-E

- Department of Defense

- U.S. Navy

• Initial Customers Identified- U.S. Navy

- Data Center Dehumidification

MMAC will

• Fundamentally change in the way we

dehumidify and cool air

• Completely eliminate use of any

refrigerants with environmental impacts

• Be more efficient than current technology

• Generate highly pure water

• Ultimately cost less than current

technology

South

KoreaKuwait

QatarMexico Hawaii

France

Germany

U.K

ESL- Worldwide Impact

Points

ChinaThailand

Nigeria