Biography

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Thermal Energy Technologies (2014), University of Warwick, UK.

‘Thermodynamic and heat transfer analysis of a carbon – ammonia adsorption heat pump’
Development of a novel adsorption heat pump cycle working with active carbon and ammonia. Includes the development of a numerical model of the novel cycle, improvement of the heat transfer characteristics of the solid sorption material, design and manufacturing of heat pump and final testing.

• MSc in Design of Rotating Machines (2010), Crafield University, UK.
• MEng in Industrial Engineering (2010), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain.

Research Interests

Since 2019 I have been working in the Programme Grant LoT-NETLink opens in a new window (Low Temperature Heat Recovery and Distribution Network Technologies).

My two main research areas are sorption heating and cooling technologies, and data analysis and modelling of energy systems.

Other areas of interes include:

• Absorption / Adsorption
• HVAC
• Heat driven heat pumps
• District heating networks
• Low temperature heat distribution networks
• Systems modelling and simulation

Teaching Interests

• ES3B5 Engines and Heat PumpsLink opens in a new window
• ES99F Renewable EnergyLink opens in a new window
• ES1A7 Thermodynamics and Fluid MechanicsLink opens in a new window
• ES327 Individual projectLink opens in a new window
• ES2F8 Applied Thermodynamic Engineering

Selected Publications

Critoph, R.E.; Pacho, A.M.R. District Heating of Buildings by Renewable Energy Using Thermochemical Heat Transmission. Energies 2022, 15, 1449. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041449Link opens in a new window

Metcalf, S.; Rivero-Pacho, Á.; Critoph, R. Design and Large Temperature Jump Testing of a Modular Finned-Tube Carbon–Ammonia Adsorption Generator for Gas-Fired Heat Pumps. Energies 2021, 14, 3332. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113332Link opens in a new window 

Gluesenkamp, K.R.; Frazzica, A.; Velte, A.; Metcalf, S.; Yang, Z.; Rouhani, M.; Blackman, C.; Qu, M.; Laurenz, E.; Rivero-Pacho, A.; Hinmers, S.; Critoph, R.; Bahrami, M.; Füldner, G.; Hallin, I. Experimentally Measured Thermal Masses of Adsorption Heat Exchangers. Energies 2020, 13, 1150. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13051150Link opens in a new window 

Critoph, R.E., Metcalf, S.J., Pacho, A.R. (2020). Gas-Fired Heat Pumps as a Replacement for the Condensing Boiler. In: Sayigh, A. (eds) Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings. Innovative Renewable Energy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18488-9_62Link opens in a new window

Rivero-Pacho, A.M.; Critoph, R.E.; Metcalf, S.J. Alternative monolithic/composite carbons for adsorption generators and simulation for optimal performance, Applied Thermal Engineering 2017, 126, 350-357, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.07.17Link opens in a new window

Rivero-Pacho, A.M.; Critoph, R.E.; Metcalf, S.J. Modelling and development of a generator for a domestic gas-fired carbon-ammonia adsorption heat pump, Renewable Energy 2017, 110, 180-185, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.03.089Link opens in a new window 

Rivero Pacho, A.M.; Critoph, R.E. Wall contact thermal resistance and bulk thermal conductivity in activated carbon for adsorption generators, Heat Transfer Research 2015, 46, 179-193, https://doi.org/10.1615/HeatTransRes.2014007106Link opens in a new window 

Projects

Administrative duties

• Electromechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Programme Manager
• Member of the Athena Swan self assessment team, School of Engineering
• Member of the Equality and Diversity Committee, School of Engineering
• Green Champion

Awards

2014/15 Ted Perry Award for Student Research: ‘Thermodynamic and heat transfer analysis of a carbon – ammonia adsorption heat pump’