Technical overview

Biaco has developed and patented a sustainable heating system using exothermic reactions in a pressurised vessel. The vessel uses chemical reactions to convert electricity and tap water into heat. These reactions are caused by a plasma established in tap water, using both the water itself and minerals and gases dissolved in it.

Heat is produced in the form of superheated steam. Output flow temperatures of between 70 °C and 300 °C can be achieved by varying the pressure within the vessel, and/or the use of an external interface heat exchanger. This means that the system can be used for space and process heating with minimal change to the existing infrastructure (radiators, water tanks etc). Each vessel produces a nominal 25 kW thermal output, with the capability to vary the output between 9 kW and 34 kW. The system is designed to be modular, incorporating additional vessels to increase the heat output.

Coefficient of Performance (CoP) has been measured by Biaco engineers during an extensive test programme and by external experts. A CoP of 4 has been achieved consistently during in house testing and was independently validated in 2023 by Rob Morgan, Visiting Professor of Thermodynamics, University of Brighton.

Performance
• Produces heat at a CoP of 4 from electricity and water.
• Performance is independent of ambient temperature.
• Heat can be delivered between 70 °C and 300 °C.

Cost
• Installed system price and operating costs expected to be lower than other sustainable heating technologies.
• Cost effective retrofit as no change to existing heat distribution infrastructure is needed.

Environment
• Produces no emissions, low noise and doesn’t use fossil fuels.
• No refrigerants are added to the system.

Application
• Vessels are combined into a modular system, providing the right amount of heat where it’s needed and increasing resilience.
• Consumes tap water, output water can be recycled.
• Can be installed inside the building or boiler room.

Biaco’s first product is being developed for the commercial, industrial and municipal heating markets. This will take us through TRL5/6 to TRL 7/8 by the end of 2026 with TRL 9 (a full product platform 2028).

50 kW product demonstrator will be trialled with industrial partners

Biaco works with outside experts and scientists to develop and validate the technology. Our main collaboration partner has been the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex. Professor Mark Bagley, Dr John Turner and Dr Nourhan Hendawy have supported the development of understanding of the underpinning chemistry. High-speed photography and spectroscopy have been carried out by Professor Cyril Crua from the School of Engineering and informatics to analyse the reactions within the vessel. Testing of the composition of the water exiting the system has been carried out by Artemis Analytical Ltd, a spin-out from the University of Manchester.