Historical Committee, August 2026

Celebrating the Legacy of Professor Emeritus Eric G. Granryd

A Trailblazer in Thermodynamics

Professor Eric G. Granryd’s career spanned over four decades at the intersection of academia and industry. Born in 1934, he completed his civil engineering studies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology before embarking on a path that would redefine heat pump and refrigeration technology. He served as Professor in the Department of Energy Technology at KTH from 1984 until his retirement in 1999, continuing as Professor Emeritus until his passing on March 30, 2022, at the age of 88.

Foundations in Industry

Granryd’s journey into thermodynamics began almost by chance in 1958, when a Saab scholarship for pilot training led him to test a novel cockpit heat exchanger. His exam project applied Bo Pierre’s boiling heat transfer correlations to thin stainless-steel tubes, setting the stage for his lifelong focus on heat exchangers and phase-change phenomena.

After graduation, he joined Svenska Rotormaskiner (SRM) as a calculation engineer. There, he helped develop two-stage ammonia screw compressors—a breakthrough for large-scale cooling and freezing applications that found early adoption in Stockholm’s Slakthusområdet freeze houses in the early 1960s.

Expanding Horizons in the United States

A grant from the Swedish American Foundation enabled Granryd’s 18-month tenure at the Institute of Gas Technology in Chicago. Tasked with exploring gas-fired air-conditioning, he designed a Stirling-like gas-driven compressor operating with carbon dioxide as the refrigerant. This inventive work earned him seven patents, including one advocating an expander in lieu of a traditional expansion valve, and deepened his expertise in compressor and cycle design.

Pioneering Heat Pump Innovations

The oil crisis of the 1970s steered Granryd towards heat pump research. As a lecturer at KTH, he evaluated villa heat pump solutions for the Swedish Building Research Council. In 1978, he joined AGA Heating’s Thermia division, enhancing reliability and efficiency by developing mini-tube evaporators and condensers. His team’s success with compact, high-pressure heat exchangers underpinned Thermia’s early market leadership—preceding the era when plate heat exchangers became dominant.

Architect of Research Infrastructure

Upon his 1983 appointment as Professor and Bo Pierre’s successor, Granryd built KTH’s Division of Applied Thermodynamics and Refrigeration into a world-class center. His vision culminated in the 2025 inauguration of the Granryd Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility for building and city energy systems research. Housing advanced experimental platforms as well as modeling and simulation tools, the lab now hosts over 20 industry-partnered projects and startup incubators—a testament to his enduring impact on research infrastructure.

Global Leadership and Recognition

Granryd’s influence extended far beyond Sweden. A dedicated leader within the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), he served as IIR Delegate for Sweden, President of both the IIR Executive Committee and the General Conference, and was named Honorary President in 2007. He received the IIR Medal of Merit at the 2011 International Congress of Refrigeration. His prolific output included more than 55 publications archived in FRIDOC, cementing his reputation as a revered educator and researcher.

Honors and Awards

In May 2008, Granryd was honored with the Peter Ritter von Rittinger International Heat Pump Award by the International Energy Agency, recognizing his invaluable contributions to heat pump research and development. This triennial award highlights individuals whose work advances efficient heat pump technology—an accolade befitting Granryd’s lifelong dedication to sustainable energy solutions.

Enduring Impact on ASHRAE and Beyond

Granryd’s legacy resonates within the ASHRAE community. His laboratory hosted two ASHRAE tours, fostering collaboration between academia and practitioners across the Nordic region. Under his influence, the bridge between industry and research continues to strengthen, inspiring the next generation of HVAC&R professionals to pursue innovation with the same rigor and kindness that defined his career.