Abstract: A process of transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium features rotating a contained amount of a compressible fluid about an axis of rotation, thus generating a radial temperature gradient in the fluid, and heating the second medium by the fluid in a section of the fluid relatively far from the axis of rotation. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a gastight drum rotatably mounted in a frame, and a first heat exchanger mounted inside the drum relatively far from the axis of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus (1) for transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium, comprising a gastight rotor (4) rotatably mounted in a frame (2), and, mounted inside the rotor (4), a compressor (10), a first heat exchanger (8) for transferring heat from the fluid to the second medium and located relatively far from the axis of rotation of the rotor (4), an expansion chamber (11) for expanding the fluid, and a channel (14) for conveying the expanded fluid from the expansion chamber (11) to the compressor (10), wherein the first heat exchanger (8) is thermally insulated from the channel (14).

Abstract: A process of transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium features rotating a contained amount of a compressible fluid about an axis of rotation, thus generating a radial temperature gradient in the fluid, and heating the second medium by means of the fluid in a section of the fluid relatively far from the axis of rotation. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a gastight drum having a lumen for holding a compressible fluid and rotatably mounted in a frame, and a first heat exchanger mounted inside the drum relatively far from the axis of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A process of transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium features rotating a contained amount of a compressible fluid about an axis of rotation, thus generating a radial temperature gradient in the fluid, and heating the second medium by the fluid in a section of the fluid relatively far from the axis of rotation. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a gastight drum rotatably mounted in a frame, and a first heat exchanger mounted inside the drum relatively far from the axis of rotation of the drum.