A system includes a heat exchanger mounted to the brackets and receiving cryogen, the heat exchanger having a vertical inlet coupled in parallel to a plurality of equal size horizontal tubes each traversing a width of the heat exchanger and further coupled in parallel to a vertical outlet pipe with an outlet diameter at least twice an inlet tube diameter; a temperature sensor; a thermostat that monitors the temperature sensor and maintains a predetermined temperature set point by communicating with a solenoid valve coupled to the heat exchanger; an exhaust line coupled to the outlet pipe that expels exhaust gas outside the enclosed facility; multiple fans attached to the heat exchanger; and a fail-safe oxygen sensor to protect a biological object in the enclosed facility.

Barocaloric heat transfer systems and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a heat transfer system may include a barocaloric material which may generate heat upon compression and may cool down upon decompression. The barocaloric material may be pressurized using high pressure and low pressure fluids, which may, in some embodiments, also transfer heat to/from the barocaloric material. The heat transfer system may also include a hot heat exchanger to dissipate heat from the heat transfer system to a first environment and a cold heat exchanger to absorb heat from a second environment, effectively cooling the second environment. In some embodiments, the barocaloric material may be in particulate form.

A refrigeration arrangement for traction vehicles includes a first closed circuit configured as a compression refrigeration machine containing a refrigerant as a first carrier medium, evaporator and condenser. The evaporator absorbs heat into the first circuit. The condenser transfers heat from the first circuit. The first circuit is coupled, via the evaporator, to a closed second circuit containing a liquid second carrier medium for heat transport. The second circuit, for cooling, takes heat and transfers it to the second carrier medium. The heat is conveyed, by the second carrier medium, to the evaporator for transfer to the first circuit. The first circuit is coupled, via the condenser, to a closed third circuit containing a liquid third carrier medium for heat transport. The third circuit causes heat from the first circuit, transferred into the third circuit by the condenser, to be transferred to surroundings with heat from traction systems.

A mechano-caloric stage includes an elongated outer sleeve. An elongated inner sleeve is disposed within the elongated outer sleeve. A pair of pistons is received within the elongated inner sleeve. Each of the pair of pistons is positioned at a respective end of the elongated inner sleeve. The pair of pistons are moveable relative to the elongated inner sleeve. A mechano-caloric material is disposed within the elongated inner sleeve between the pair of pistons. The mechano-caloric material is compressible between the pair of pistons.

A mechano-caloric stage includes an elongated outer sleeve. An elongated inner sleeve is disposed within the elongated outer sleeve. A pair of pistons is received within the elongated inner sleeve. Each of the pair of pistons is positioned at a respective end of the elongated inner sleeve. The pair of pistons are moveable relative to the elongated inner sleeve. A mechano-caloric material is disposed within the elongated inner sleeve between the pair of pistons. The mechano-caloric material is compressible between the pair of pistons.

A electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter having a low temperature membrane electrode assembly array and a high temperature membrane electrode assembly array is provided. Additional cells are provided in the low temperature membrane electrode assembly array, which causes an additional amount of the working fluid, namely hydrogen, to be pumped to the high pressure side of the converter. The additional pumped hydrogen compensates for the molecular hydrogen diffusion that occurs through the membranes of the membrane electrode assembly arrays. The MEA cells may be actuated independently by a controller to compensate for hydrogen diffusion.

A electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter having a low temperature membrane electrode assembly array and a high temperature membrane electrode assembly array is provided. Additional cells are provided in the low temperature membrane electrode assembly array, which causes an additional amount of the working fluid, namely hydrogen, to be pumped to the high pressure side of the converter. The additional pumped hydrogen compensates for the molecular hydrogen diffusion that occurs through the membranes of the membrane electrode assembly arrays. The MEA cells may be actuated independently by a controller to compensate for hydrogen diffusion.

A system and method of controlling temperature of a medium by refrigerant vaporization, or working gas condensation, or a combination of both, the system including a container, at least one a working gas reservoir having at least one reservoir section that includes a wall with an exterior surface structured to be thermally coupled with a volume of the medium in the container and to provide a volume of medium thermal coverage in the container, a condensation apparatus to provide regulation of working gas condensation in the reservoir, whereby the working gas reservoir forms a vapor space in each of the at least one reservoir section in response to receiving the working gas and to the condensation apparatus regulation of condensation to enable working gas condensation at or near a selected temperature of the volume of medium in the container that is thermally coupled to the respective reservoir section.

A thermally driven elastocaloric system and a method for generating at least one of a heating potential and a cooling potential are provided. The thermally driven elastocaloric system includes a first shape memory alloy (SMA) member, a second shape memory alloy (SMA) member, and a connection mechanism configured between the distal end of the first SMA member and the distal end of the second SMA member. The connection mechanism is configured to transfer a force between the first SMA member and the second SMA member. The transfer of a compressive force to an SMA member may generate a heating potential in the SMA member, and the transfer of a tensile force to an SMA member may generate a cooling potential in the SMA member. Whether a compressive force or a tensile force is transferred may be dependent on whether heat is transferred to or from a SMA member.

A closed loop refrigeration system using a gas hydrate having a temperature below 0° C. has: a first circulation loop extending through a gas hydrate formation device 1, an object 2 to be cooled and a separator 3 and back to the formation device 1 and including a gas hydrate line 10 for transporting a gas hydrate having a temperature below 0° C.; and a second circulation loop for gas extending through the formation device 1, a compressor 4, a cooler 5 and a decompressor 6 and back to the formation device 1, wherein an object to be transported in the first circulation loop is transported together with a liquid carrier.