The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), a leading government-funded entity dedicated to addressing energy security and carbon neutrality, has made significant strides in its mission to resolve the global "Energy Trilemma." KIER has just announced the development of a novel refrigeration technology utilizing air as a refrigerant, following the recent introduction of a catalytic system derived from industrial waste that fully decomposes a potent refrigerant. Both innovations align with international efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of conventional energy processes.
KIER has introduced a new concept in refrigeration technology, which replaces traditional high-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants with air. This innovative system, which marks a first for Korea, leverages a reverse-Brayton cycle, a process that compresses, exchanges heat, and expands air to achieve ultra-low temperatures without relying on harmful chemical refrigerants.
The core of this system is an integrated ultra-high speed compander, which combines a compressor and an expander on a single shaft, ensuring high performance at extreme operational speeds. Traditional refrigeration methods, typically based on vapor compression cycles, have been limited by their dependence on HFCs and other fluorinated gases, which contribute significantly to global warming. KIER’s reverse-Brayton cycle system circumvents this issue while offering superior efficiency, especially at temperatures below -50 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for applications in semiconductor processes, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical storage.
The system’s capability to cool down to -100 degrees Celsius and maintain efficiency improvements of up to 50% over traditional methods further highlights its potential to revolutionize industries requiring precise, ultra-low-temperature environments. Dr. Beom Joon Lee, the lead researcher, emphasized the system’s alignment with environmental regulations and its anticipated role in advancing eco-friendly cooling solutions.
In addition to advancements in cooling technology to avoid refrigerant use entirely, KIER has developed a catalytic system that utilizes red mud, a byproduct of aluminum production, to decompose HFC-134a, a refrigerant with a GWP 1,300 times greater than carbon dioxide. This breakthrough addresses the environmental challenge posed by red mud and also offers a sustainable method for reducing the impact of potent greenhouse gases.
Red mud, which is typically challenging to manage due to its high alkalinity and heavy metal content, has been repurposed by KIER’s research team into an efficient catalyst capable of breaking down HFC-134a with a 99% decomposition rate. The catalyst’s design leverages the porous structure and thermal stability of red mud, enhancing its effectiveness in catalytic reactions while preventing degradation over extended use. The simple heat treatment process used in the catalyst’s development allows for scalable mass production, offering a cost-effective solution for large-scale industrial applications.
Dr. Ryi, Shin-kun, who led the catalyst development, highlighted the dual environmental benefits of this technology: recycling industrial waste to mitigate pollution and effectively decomposing a significant greenhouse gas. This innovation represents a triple win in managing industrial byproducts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing the pressing issues of soil and water pollution.
