HOmogenous heating of Thermal FlUids based on Metamaterials

ongoing

HOTFUM aims to demonstrate the feasibility of developing an innovative Power-to-Heat & Thermal Energy Storage (P2H & TES) interconnected technology. The main idea is that a novel power-to-heat approach can induce uniform heating in heat transfer fluids (HTFs), which are used for both heat transfer and TES. Electricity can be converted into heat using technologies like resistive heating, which directly heats HTFs. This method can lead to uneven temperature distribution, causing hot spots that may damage the HTF and reduce the lifespan of the heating elements. Both P2H & TES systems, face similar challenges due to non-uniform heating of HTFs. HOTFUM offers a novel approach by exploring the use of nanoparticles (NPs) suspended in different HTFs like water, synthetic oils, ionic liquids, and molten salts. The objective is to demonstrate a novel power-to-heat approach for heating these fluids. HOTFUM is strategically designed to take advantage of the researcher´s expertise in nanofluids for TES systems, the advanced characterization techniques available at CIIAE, the strong background of the supervisor in the field of TES. The project includes a secondment in a group specialized in nanotechnology and a placement in a SME focused in the development of NPs.