Visitors to the Big Bang Fair held at the NEC in Birmingham in March got a unique insight into the principles of refrigeration thanks to Dr Ed Hammond of ECH Engineering.

Dr Hammond’s BicyCool apparatus was designed and built to demonstrate the work required to cool the air inside a box. The BicyCool stand comprised two static bicycles, which were pedalled to directly drive refrigeration compressors linked to refrigeration circuits that provided cooling for cool boxes in which drinks had been stored. Heat was rejected from the refrigerant to the ambient environment at the radiator. Probes in the cool boxes relayed temperature data to display screens.

BicyCool attracted students and high profile visitors, including Science Minister, Greg Clarke, and the BBC’s science presenter, Marty Jopson, who also took turns at pedalling the cycles.

The initiative was part of a 25sq m Cool Know How stand, funded by co-sponsors AB Group, Institute of Refrigeration, British Refrigeration Association, EBM Papst, Dean & Wood, Mitsubishi Electric, Danfoss, Harp, GEA Searle, Space Engineering and Carel UK.

The purpose of the Cool Know How stand was to attract young scientists and engineers, teachers, parents and STEM professionals to inform them of career opportunities in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump related industries.

The Big Bang Fair focuses on careers and futures, highlighting the exciting possibilities available for young people with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Dr Hammond is a member of the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) and has been supportive of its Young Engineers’ Network. He is also a past Chair of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Young Members’ Panel for Bristol and Bath.