Energy-efficient graphene-based membrane cooling systems

Lead Proponent

Evercloak Inc.

Solution

Evercloak’s advanced manufacturing process makes large area ultra-thin nanomaterial membranes that can easily separate water vapor from air. Evercloak’s membrane system reduces the energy use of air conditioners by efficiently removing humidity prior to the traditional vapor compression cooling system.

Project

Aims to prove the energy-savings potential of their graphene oxide coated membranes for dehumidification in building cooling applications. By designing and testing a bench-scale system to test membrane cartridges under simulated and real- world conditions.

Expected Outcomes

In 2016, air-conditioning (A/C) consumed 2,000 terawatt hours of energy globally, representing 10% of worldwide energy use and generating the equivalent of 1.13 Gt/year of GHG. By 2050, those rates are expected to triple, with emissions growing to 3.5 Gt/year of GHG. Currently 62% of this energy is used in the commercial sector, where buildings are cooled by large-scale HVAC systems.

Evercloak’s technology aims to cut energy costs of A/C by over 50% compared to traditional systems. In partnership with strategic HVAC OEM partners, they will target the commercial A/C market, where buyers are more likely to pay a higher capital cost to achieve lower operating costs and increase efficiency. Once they have established a foothold in the commercial market, they will enter the residential market, with a plan to capture 30% of both markets by 2050 to reach GHG reduction of over 0.5 Gt/year.