Haydale delivers LPHW prototype for Cadent

Latest stage of Cadent project

Haydale has successfully delivered stage one and two of the three-stage low-power hot water project with Cadent Gas Ltd (‘Cadent’) announced in February 2022.

After completing stage one to identify up to four specific and detailed user case scenarios, where the graphene ink-based heaters could be used across Cadent’s network, the latest stage of the project has developed an operational pre-product prototype.

The intended use for the water heater is to provide a low-power way to heat water to an optimum temperature for hygiene when there is an interruption to the gas supply. Currently, the provision of fan heaters, hot plates and large kettles to customers in a vulnerable situation without a gas supply can be expensive and challenging, particularly for elderly or disabled customers.

The prototype features Haydale’s functionalised graphene ink, printed onto flexible heater sheets, which are encased within an insulated 3D printed portable unit. It can heat up to five litres of water in situ placed on a kitchen draining board or surface. Power is delivered through a rechargeable battery.

The final stage of the project will now further develop the prototype to refine the modelling and design, alongside validating its use in an operational environment including the extension of the design to work in a bathroom/shower setting too. If successful, the potential is to take the project through further stages towards a market-ready product.

Commenting on the latest stage of the project and the prototype development Mark Pritchard, Cadent’s Innovation Specialist, said: “It has been great to see the early prototype as a visible product. This goes to show that all the hard work and innovative thinking to date has been worthwhile. Whilst the prototype is not the finished article, we feel that with the support of Haydale, we are on the right path of helping to deliver a product that will bring benefit to our customers who find themselves in a vulnerable situation.”

Haydale UK Sales Executive Emerson Whitworth added: “We are looking forward to stage three of the water heater development. The chance to refine an already fantastically designed product, will give us further scope to add customer friendly features to aid the customer base that Cadent is looking to support with this unit.”