My career profile

1. 1
Brief Curriculum Vitae
NAME: Pradeep Kumar BANSAL, PhD, Fellow ASHRAE
EMPLOYMENT:
2016- Satya International Ltd/Bansal Engineering Associates
2012-2015 Distinguished R&D Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
1988- 2012 Professor of Mechanical Engn., University of Auckland, New Zealand
1985-1987 Post-Doctoral Fellow; Energy Research Centre, Australian National University, Canberra
1981-85 Senior Scientific Officer, Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi), India
(Legal Permanent resident of USA and New Zealand)
SELECTED DISTINCTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL PROFILE
Plenary/Keynote Invited Speaker various international conferences.
Editor of several International Journals
Executive Service Award and Distinguished Service Award by American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 2016 and 2006 respectively.
Fellow of ASHRAE, and IRHACE (Institute of Refrigerating, Heating and Air-conditioning Engineers
NZ) since 2008 and 1999 respectively.
Voting Member of ASHRAE Publications Committee during 2015-18, Research Administration
Committee during 2011 – 15, Refrigeration Committee- 2010-12; Handbook Committee- 2007-09.
Member of the Joint Committee of Standard Australia/Standard New Zealand on Room air-conditioners,
energy consumption and labelling since 1997.
Vice President: Commission B1 of International Institute of Refrigeration during 2008-2015.
Secretary: Commission B1 of International Institute of Refrigeration during 2016-2020.
MAIN ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES:
2008-2011 Associate Dean Postgraduate: Faculty of Engineering
2007-2011 Member of the Departmental Executive Committee, The University of Auckland
2004- 2009 Director: Energy & Fuels Research Unit (also during 1994-96)
2004-2009 Head: Thermodynamics Laboratory (also during 1994-96)
2004- 2006 Member of the Faculty and Departmental Staffing Committee (also during 1997-99)
1998-01 Faculty representative on Lecturer’s Association Executive, Auckland
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND SKILLS:
(a) Summary of Research Accomplishments:
 Over 30 years as a practicing engineer
 Attracted substantial research funding from government/industrial organizations
 Published 3 books and over 260 technical research papers in refereed International Journals/Conferences
(b) Industry Collaboration: General Electric Appliances, Whirlpool, Fisher & Paykel, Embraco, Hillphoenix,
Gree, Nova Thermal, Nascent Devices LLC.
(c) Consultancy Work for: Many international companies/organizations including:
 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Energy Working Group), 2000-2003
 York Corporation (USA), 2003; Whirlpool Corporation (USA), 1999-2000
 Australian Greenhouse Office, Canberra (Australia), 2000
 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, NZ, 1997-2009
 Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Novel domestic appliance technologies, 1992-94, 2009-10
 Fisher & Paykel New Zealand Ltd: Domestic refrigerators/freezers, 1990 – 2009
 World Bank, Washington DC: Solar Crop Drying during 1981-84
Email- bansal_pradeep@hotmail.com
Phone: 1-865-360-9944 (c)

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
1) 2016, Pradeep Bansal, Amar Mohabir and William Miller, New method to determine air leakage in heat pump
clothes dryers, Energy- The International Journal, 96, pp 1-7, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2015.12.051.
2) 2015, Pradeep Bansal, High efficiency novel window air conditioner, Applied Energy, 156, pp 311–320
3) 2014, Vishadeep Sharma, Brian Fricke and Pradeep Bansal, Comparative Analysis of Various CO2 Configurations
in Supermarket Refrigeration Systems, International Journal of Refrigeration, 46, pp 86-99.
4) 2012, Pradeep Bansal, A Review: Status of CO2 as a low temperature refrigerant: Fundamentals and R&D
opportunities, Applied Thermal Engineering, 41, pp 17-29.
5) 2012, Grant Bourke and Pradeep Bansal, New Test Method for Gas Boosters with Domestic Solar Water Heaters
Solar Energy, Solar Energy, 86 (1), pp 78-86.
6) 2006, H M Getu and P K Bansal, Simulation model for a low-temperature supermarket refrigeration system, HVAC&R
Research, 12(4), 1117 - 1139.
7) 2003, P K Bansal and T Chin, Heat transfer characteristics of wire-and-tube and hot wall condensers, HVAC&R
Research, 9(3), pp. 277-290.
8) 2002, M Browne and P K Bansal, Transient simulation of vapour-compression packaged liquid chillers, International
Journal of Refrigeration, 25(5), pp 597 – 610.
BACKGROUND
I completed my PhD from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1981. In 1985, I joined Australian
National University, Canberra (Australia) as a Post-Doctoral Fellow, and worked on a “Solar Thermal
Power Plant of 25 kW(e) using parabolic dishes”. During 1988-2011, I worked as Professor of Mechanical
Engineering at the University of Auckland (New Zealand), where my research interests shifted to
“Sustainable Energy Systems, relevant to Heating, Ventilating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration
(HVAC&R)”. In late 2011, I started a career opportunity at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA) as
Distinguished R & D Scientist. Currently I am freelancing as an energy consultant.
My work relates to energy efficiency, solar thermal, environmentally friendly low global warming
alternative refrigerants including HFOs, energy efficient household appliances, not-in-kind refrigeration
technologies (e.g. thermoelectric, magneto-caloric, ultrasonic), and development of energy efficient
refrigeration systems (e.g. chillers, air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators, supermarket refrigeration
systems). This research aimed at improving the energy efficiency of building equipment to reduce carbon
footprint. The research integrates mathematical modelling, experimental techniques, and system
optimization. My management and leadership role in R&D projects is detailed in the following.
DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF NEW TEST FACILITIES
1. Established Environmental Chambers at Auckland (New Zealand): Two test facilities were
established at Auckland (i) for the testing of domestic appliances with ambient temperature and
relative humidity in the room being controlled between 5 and 50C, and 20 and 85% respectively, and
(ii) for carrying out fundamental research on the pressure drop and boiling and condensation heat
transfer characteristics of CO2 at low temperatures (down to -45°C).
2. Established Refrigeration/Heat Pump Test Facility: This facility was used for testing alternative
refrigerants with different heat exchangers and/or expansion valves for various refrigeration
applications.
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
1. Next generation household refrigerator: Novel and efficient designs were experimented with to
reduce the environmental impact of vapour compression equipment using alternative refrigerants.
Research included design, development, modelling and experimentation with various components of
a refrigerator, including novel heat exchangers, capillary tube-suction line HX, compressor (including
Email- bansal_pradeep@hotmail.com
Phone: 1-865-360-9944 (c)

3. 3
oil free linear compressor), unique sequencing of evaporators and defrost mechanisms, leading to
optimised improved design.
2. High efficiency window air conditioner: A new high efficiency Window Air-Conditioner (WAC)
was developed having a number of novel features, including an ECM fan, a high efficiency
compressor, large heat exchangers and a drop-in refrigerant mixture of R32/R125 (85%/15% molar
concentrations). These features led to achieve an EER of 13. The new design offered the technical
potential of 0.1 quads of energy savings per year in USA alone and significantly more in other
countries where WACs are used more widely such as in Asia, Africa and Middle East. The economic
analysis revealed the payback period of about 1.4 years. The study was also extended to explore the
use of other alternative refrigerants including HFOs.
3. Heat pump clothes dryer: Heat pump household clothes dryers offer the potential to save 60%
energy as compared with conventional electric dryers. A novel heat pump clothes dryer prototype was
tested under DOE standard 2011 and 2015. The prototype offered much higher energy efficiency
(Energy Factor > 8.0 under DOE 2015) than conventional electric dryers and with a faster drying
time. Further, a novel method was developed to quantify and reduce air leakage around the heat pump
cycle to improve its overall efficiency. The use of other alternative refrigerants including HFOs was
also carried out.
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
1. Liquid Chillers: Research investigated the design variables for efficient operation of ‘in-situ’ chillers
particularly under part load conditions. Heat transfer analysis was carried out a range operating
conditions. Exhaustive simulation models including steady state, quasi-steady state, dynamic, steady
state neural network and dynamic neural network models were developed.
2. Commercial and industrial Refrigeration Systems: Research in supermarket refrigeration systems
included experimentation and modelling of new cycles, secondary loop refrigeration and the use of
carbon dioxide as refrigerant, and the use of suction-line heat exchangers.
3. Desiccant Technology for Thermal Comfort: This research included extensive experiments using
structured packing for the flow of liquid desiccant both in counter-flow and cross-flow arrangements,
and to dehumidify the air. Simulation models are developed for the improvement of the design and
its operation.
RESEARCH AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT
1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2012 – 2015): I engaged in the leadership role at ORNL,
attracted research funding and collaborations with both the Universities (e.g. Universities of
Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Penn State) and US industry (e.g. General Electric
Appliances, Whirlpool, Embraco, Nascent Devices LLC., Nova Thermal).
2. The University of Auckland, New Zealand (1988-2011): I served in numerous roles, as below.
a. Director of Energy & Fuels Research Unit (EFRU) (2004-2009): I managed the finances
and the operation of the EFRU that employed over 10 staff, including 5 academic and other
part timers. I led the team for attracting funding, research contracts, staff mentoring and
delivery of research project outcomes.
b. Head- Thermodynamics Laboratory/Thermo-Fluid Teaching Group (2004-2009): I led
the operation of both the Laboratory and the Group that had 6-7 academic staff, 5 technicians
and about 10-15 graduate and 20 undergraduate research students per year.
c. Member of the Department’s Executive Team (2004-2009): This group developed policies
to address departmental matters on weekly basis including resources, funding, space, teaching,
research, student matters and liaison/collaboration with industry and academic institutions.
Email- bansal_pradeep@hotmail.com
Phone: 1-865-360-9944 (c)