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Bulk, Alex

Publications and source records attributed to Bulk, Alex.

Performance Characterization and Energy Savings Assessment of a Radial Flux Surface Permanent Magnet Motor Technology

This project is part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) "Commercialization Assistance Program" to provide technical expertise to help emerging companies overcome technical barriers to commercialization. In this study, NREL has evaluated the efficiency and energy saving potential of a novel motor technology designed by ZEUS Motor Inc. located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The motor expands on permanent magnet AC motor (PMAC) design to create a new "radial flux, surface PMAC", or RF-sPMAC motor that is expected to outperform other novel motor technologies on the market. Here, the motor showed considerable energy benefits over typical induction motors. The motor benefits from a tightly-packed magnetic steel and copper stator that allows the motor size to be reduced to a thin disc with an internal cavity 1/30th the size of a traditional induction motor. The housing is also aluminum which is magnetically benign. This eliminates the need for external cooling (up to 25 HP), in addition to reducing power consumption.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Performance Evaluation of Liquid-Cooled Open Stand-Alone Refrigerated Cases

This project is part of a joint effort between Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to evaluate the energy and demand savings potential of emerging efficient buildings technologies. This project quantifies the energy efficiency benefits from retrofitting an air-cooled, constant-speed compression, self-contained medium-temperature open-vertical display case with a high efficiency water-cooled condensing unit. In addition to a water-cooled heat rejection mechanism, the high-efficiency condensing unit utilizes a variable-speed compressor, electronic expansion valve and advanced controls system. The focus of this project, however, was mainly on capturing the energy savings potentials of the water-cooled condenser, variable-speed compression and electronic expansion valve, and not on the advanced controls. The results of this evaluation will be considered by ComEd and CLEAResult for future energy efficiency rebate offerings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗