Chiara D'Ignazi
PhD thesis title: Carbon dioxide-hydrocarbons blends for medium-high temperature vapour compression heat pumps
Academic Tutor: Luigi Pietro Maria Colombo
Academic Supervisor: Luca Molinaroli
PhD cycle: 38° (see all student profiles of the same cycle > LINK)
BSc: Energy engineering, Politecnico di Milano
MSc: Energy Engineering - Energy use and built environment, Politecnico di Milano
IDEA League PhD Grants
Visiting PhD researcher at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, at the Process Systems Engineering lab (EPSE) research group led by Professor André Bardow, from July 2024 to December 2024
Thesis abstract
My PhD research investigates the use of CO2 and hydrocarbon blends as refrigerants in medium-high-temperature vapour compression heat pumps for industrial applications. By using waste heat as a heat source, industrial heat pumps can efficiently provide heat while significantly reducing emissions compared to conventional thermal plants. However, the high greenhouse gas impact associated with traditional refrigerant fluids, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), poses a significant environmental challenge. I aim to investigate both theoretically and experimentally how CO2 and hydrocarbon blends can provide environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional refrigerants. These blends address the challenges associated with the use of pure components, such as CO2 low critical temperature and high operating pressures, and mitigate flammability concerns associated with pure hydrocarbons. Various blends will be tested in an existing heat pump: thus, a process model that incorporates the properties of CO2-HC blends will be developed to evaluate flammability and performance under different conditions.
“Glide4Heat – Environmentally friendly high-glide refrigerant blends for high-temperature heat pumps and next-generation refrigerators”. Part of Projects of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR).
Personal interest in my research theme
I have a passion for the development and improvement of vapour compression systems. Furthermore, I believe in the importance of decarbonising our society to address the issue of Climate Change. I’m excited about my research topic because it allows me to bring together these two passions. Heat Pumps can play a crucial role in decarbonising the industrial sector, which is responsible for a significant share of human-related GHG emissions: therefore, I am eager to contribute to the effort of making this technology even more sustainable.ral.
