Experimental analysis of waste heat recovery systems for telecommunication base stations
Given the increasing deployment and thereby higher energy use of 5G mobile networks in Sweden, the objective of this master thesis project is to investigate a novel heat pump-based waste heat recovery solution integrated with the electronics cabinet of the rooftop telecommunication base stations (BTSs).
Objective/short description
The heat pump can provide both cooling for the telecommunication devices and domestic hot water by recovering the waste heat. Waste heat recovery from rooftop telecommunication base stations is a new concept whose existing literature and real applications are still rare. Students who carry out this master thesis project will perform experimental works on this novel waste heat recovery solution and are expected to acquire practical lab skills in the research and development process of a real heat pump prototype.
Background
Waste heat recovery from rooftop telecommunication base stations is a new concept whose existing literature and real applications are still rare. The original heat exchangers implemented in the cabinet for storing baseband units (BBUs) were designed for cooling the electronic devices as the sole objective. To recover the waste heat and use it for domestic heating, there is a need to redesign the heat exchanger or to implement a heat pump unit to lift the temperature of the waste heat up to a level required by heat supply systems in adjacent buildings. Techno-economic analyses of the integrated heating systems are also needed to deliver cost-effective renovations for the waste heat recovery. Led by Associate Professor Hatef Madani, a Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) funded research project has been carried out at the Division of Applied Thermodynamics to develop cost-effective heat recovery solutions integrated between telecommunication base stations and hydronic heating systems in buildings.
Associated with the research project, this master thesis project aims to conduct experimental research tasks for reaching optimized thermal design of the heat recovery system mainly comprising of an air-to-water heat pump. Through experimental investigations, the student is expected to bring forward improvement measures for reaching optimal heating and cooling effects of the heat pump unit.
Learning objectives
After the thesis has been performed the student should be able to:
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develop and commissioning a heat pump unit at a laboratory scale.
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characterize the waste heat recovery performance of the heat pump unit integrated with the electronic cabinet.
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Compare test results with CFD analyses to obtain deeper understanding of the thermal behavior in the electronic cabinet and heat pump system.
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Obtain understanding and practical experience with thermal management systems for electronics.
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Acquire practical laboratory skills related to the development of heat pump and thermal management systems.
How to apply
Contact persons listed below
Supervisor
Examiner
