Comparison of natural gas driven heat pumps and electrically driven heat pumps with conventional systems for building heating purposes

Electrically driven heat pumps achieve good efficiencies for space heating. If heat pumps are driven directly by a combustion engine instead of an electric motor, losses attributed to the production and transport of electricity are eliminated. Additionally, the use of the combustion engine's heat leads to a reduced temperature difference across the heat pump. This article presents annual efficiencies of these systems and compares internal combustion engine and electrically driven heat pumps in terms of primary energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Because heat pump performance depends strongly on the heating circuit's flow temperature level, the comparison is performed for air-to-water and geothermal heat pump systems in two cases of maximum flow temperatures (40 °C and 60 °C). These temperature levels represent typical modern buildings with large heating surfaces and older buildings with high-temperature radiators, respectively. In addition to the different heat pump setups, conventional space heating systems are included in the comparison. The calculations show that natural gas-driven heat pumps achieve about the same efficiency and CO₂ emissions as electrically driven heat pumps powered with electricity from the most modern natural gas-fired combined cycle power plants. The efficiency of such systems is about twice that of conventional boiler technologies.     

Cooling characteristics of hot oil pool by water mist during fire suppression

Generally water is not favored for use in suppressing hot liquid fuel fires due to concerns of vapor explosion and boil-over, which could present potential danger to nearby personnel or firefighters. This paper reports on a series of full-scale fire experiments in which water mist was used in extinguishing large hot cooking oil fires. It was shown that water mist not only extinguished large fires effectively but also cooled hot oil from its ignition point (up to 360 °C) to below its flash point (200 °C) in a short period of time and prevented the fire from re-igniting. No vapor explosion was observed in the experiments when water droplets touched the hot oil whose temperature was higher than the superheat-limited temperature of water. A boiling layer of mixed bubbles, water droplets and oil was formed in the hot oil after all flames were extinguished, as water droplets boiled, bubbled and expanded in the hot oil. No boil-over or spillage of the oil over the container was observed in the experiments when water mist was discharged into the oil at high temperature (>300 °C) but boil-over did occur in experiments when the water mist was discharged into oil at a relatively moderate temperature (∼200 °C). In this paper, the mechanisms of cooling of hot oil by water mist are investigated, and the formation and development of the boiling layer during cooling are analyzed both experimentally and theoretically.     

Field performance measurements of a heat pump desiccant unit in heating and humidification mode

In this study, a novel self-regenerating electric vapor compression heat pump desiccant (HPD) unit operated in the heating and humidification mode during the winter season is introduced. The HPD unit was installed in an office suite for the field test. The performance of the HPD unit and the provided indoor conditions were measured over a wide range of operating conditions. The target indoor humidity ratio was set to 4.4 g/kg, which is the minimum required indoor humidity ratio for a comfortable indoor environment indicated in the ASHRAE winter thermal comfort zone. The seasonal comparison revealed that even though 77.7% of all outdoor humidity ratio data was lower than 4.4 g/kg, 78.2% and 85.8% of all the indoor humidity ratio data of each room were found to be higher than 4.4 g/kg. In addition, due to the significant sensible capacity of the HPD unit, the indoor temperatures could be maintained within 20-25 °C. These results prove that the HPD unit not only properly humidifies the indoors without using any additional water source, like the conventional humidifier, but also helps to keep the indoor temperature at the desired temperature levels.     

A parametrical study on the energetic and exergetic assessment of a solar-assisted vertical ground-source heat pump system used for heating a greenhouse

An energetic and exergetic modeling of a solar-assisted vertical ground-source heat pump (GSHP) greenhouse heating system (SAGSHPGHS) for system analysis and performance assessment is presented in this study. Energy (heating coefficient of performance ‘COP’) and exergy efficiencies at various reference and entering water temperatures are also determined. The actual thermal data collected are utilized for the model calculations at different reference temperature values in the range of −0.69 to 25 °C. Furthermore, the performance of a SAGSHPGHS, installed in Solar Energy Institute of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey, is evaluated to show, how energy and exergy efficiencies values change with system. The exergy destructions in the overall SAGSHPGHS are quantified, particularly for a reference temperature of −0.69 °C on 7 January 2004 for comparison purposes. Based upon the measurements made in the heating mode from the 16th of December 2003 till 31st of March 2004, average heating COPs of the GSHP unit and the overall system are obtained to be 2.84 and 2.27, respectively. The best (peak) COP of the GSHP and system were found to be 3.14 and 2.79 on 7 January 2004, respectively. Average exergy efficiency of the system is determined to be 68.11%, while the best exergy efficiency peak values for the GSHP unit and the whole system on a product/fuel basis are obtained to be 76.2% and 75.6%, respectively.     

A parametric study on the exergoeconomic assessment of a vertical ground-coupled (geothermal) heat pump system

An exergoeconomic model of a vertical ground-source heat pump residential heating system presented in this study uses exergy and cost energy mass (EXCEM) methods. The data obtained from a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) residential heating system installed at the Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, Turkey, are utilized for calculations at different reference temperature values in the range 0–25 °C. The performance of the geothermal heat pump residential heating system is evaluated to indicate how exergoecomic parameter values change with system. We also undertake a parametric study to investigate how varying reference temperatures will affect the exergoeconomic analysis of the GSHP system. A correlation between the ratio of thermodynamic loss rate to capital cost and reference state temperature is developed.     

Economy of exploiting heat from low-temperature geothermal sources using a heat pump

The article describes the economy of exploiting heat from low-temperature geothermal sources for high-temperature heating of buildings using a heat pump. For the exploitation of low-temperature geothermal sources, a two stage heat pump with a heat exchanger was planned. The pump consists of two single stage heat pumps which use different refrigerants at each stage. At stage 1, the calculation of the heat pump is conducted with refrigerant R407c; at stage 2 of the heat pump, the refrigerant R600a is used. The main operational characteristics of a two stage heat pump are presented in the form of diagrams. For the exploitation of heat from geothermal water with a temperature of 45 °C, a profitability evaluation of the investment in the heat pump was carried out, using the method of the net present value. In the research, also the coefficient of profitability and the period of time in which the investment is going to return itself were established.     

Dynamic performances of solar heat storage system with packed bed using myristic acid as phase change material

This paper is aimed at analyzing the thermal characteristics of packed bed containing spherical capsules, used in a latent heat thermal storage system with a solar heating collector. Myristic acid is selected as phase change material (PCM), and water is used as heat transfer fluid (HTF). The mathematical model based on the energy balance of HTF and PCM is developed to calculate the temperatures of PCM and HTF, solid fraction and heat release rate during the solidifying process. The latent efficiency, which is defined as the ratio between the instantaneous released latent heat and the maximum released heat, is introduced to indicate the thermal performances of the system. The inlet temperature of HTF (50 °C), flow rate of HTF (10 kg/min) and initial temperature of HTF (66 °C) were chosen for studying thermal performances in solar heat storage system. The influences of inlet temperature of HTF, flow rate of HTF and initial temperatures of HTF and PCM on the latent efficiency and heat release rate are also analyzed and discussed.     

A theoretical study of an innovative ejector enhanced vapor compression heat pump cycle for water heating application

This study presents a novel vapor compression heat pump cycle in which an ejector associated with a subcooler is applied to enhance the heating performance for air-source heat pump water heater application. The heating coefficient of performance (COP_h) and heating capacity of the novel cycle using the non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant R417A are theoretically investigated, for the ranges of evaporating temperature (−15 to 10 °C) and condensing temperature (55-60 °C). The theoretical results show that the COP_h and volumetric heating capacity of the novel cycle are better than that of the conventional heat pump cycle. It is found that for the operating conditions considered, the maximum COP_h and volumetric heating capacity can be improved by up to 1.62-6.92% and 15.20-37.32% over the conventional heat pump cycle, respectively. The performance characteristics of the novel cycle show its promise in air-source heat pump water heater applications.     

Exergetic and sustainability performance comparison of novel and conventional air cooling systems for building applications

This study presents energy and exergy analyses and sustainability assessment of one novel and three conventional types of air cooling systems for building applications. First, effectivenesses of the systems are determined using energy analysis method. Second, exergy aspects of the systems are investigated for twelve different dead state temperatures varying from −5 °C to 50 °C with a temperature interval of 5 °C. The specific exergy flows of humid air, dry air and water, exergy efficiency, and specific exergy destruction are then calculated. Sustainability index is also used to define and discuss the systems’ sustainability aspects. Finally, the results obtained here show that at the dead state temperatures of higher than 23 °C (comfort temperature), exergy efficiency and sustainability of the novel system, which is based on the novel Maisotsenko cycle (M-Cycle), is higher than those of the conventional systems. At a dead state temperature of 50 °C, novel cooling system's exergy efficiency can reach 60.329% as the maximum, while the minimum exergy efficiency of other conventional cooling systems becomes as low as 35.866%, respectively.     

Simulation and analysis on thermodynamic performance of surface water source heat pump system

This work established a thermodynamic performance model of a heat pump system containing a heat pump unit model, an air conditioning cooling and heating load calculation model, a heat exchanger model and a water pump performance model based on mass and energy balances. The thermodynamic performance of a surface water source heat pump air conditioning system was simulated and verified by comparing the simulation results to an actual engineering project. In addition, the effects of the surface water temperature, heat exchanger structure and surface water pipeline transportation system on the thermodynamic performance of the heat pump air conditioning system were analyzed. Under the simulated conditions in this paper with a cooling load of 3400 kW, the results showed that a 1 °C decrease in the surface water temperature leads to a 2.3 percent increase in the coefficient of performance; furthermore, an additional 100 m of length for the closed-loop surface water heat exchanger tube leads to a 0.08 percent increase in the coefficient of performance. To decrease the system energy consumption, the optimal working point should be specified according to the surface water transportation length.     

风冷燃气机驱动压缩式热泵冷热水机组运行特性试验研究

对采用国产制冷机及部件设计研制的热泵冷热水机组进行了调试、试运行及运行特性测试，结果表明，机组设计合理、性能可靠，提高供水温度的措施是可行的，在不计燃气缸体冷却热的条件下，一次能源利用系数仅供热时达0.97，同时供热供冷时可达1.74。     

Evaluating a low exergy heating system from the power plant through the heat pump to the building envelope

This study deals with an exergetic analysis and assessment of a low exergy heating system from the power plant through the ground-source heat pump to the building envelope. The methodology used is based on a pre-design analysis tool, which has been produced during ongoing work for the International Energy Agency (IEA) formed within the Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems Programme (ECBCSP) Annex 37 to increase the understanding of exergy flows in buildings and to be able to find possibilities for further improvements in energy utilization in buildings. The analysis is applied to a room with a volume of 105 m³ and a net floor area of 35 m² as an application place, while indoor and exterior air temperatures are 20 °C and −15 °C, respectively. The heat pump system used for heat production with a maximum supply temperature of 55 °C was designed, constructed and tested in Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey. In this context, energy and exergy flows were investigated, while exergy destructions in the overall system were quantified and illustrated. Total exergy input of the system was found to be 7.93 kW and the largest exergy destruction occurred in the primary energy transformation at 5.31 kW.     

Experimental study on a residential temperature-humidity separate control air-conditioner

According to the temperature and moisture characteristics and current problems experienced in the Yangtze River Area, a temperature-humidity separate control air conditioner was developed. This unit can remove indoor sensible heat and latent heat load separately, and adjust indoor temperature and humidity respectively, thus improve indoor comfort and reduce energy consumption. The air-conditioner consists of an air cooling evaporator and a water cooling evaporator. Orthogonal experiments were designed to study the influence of outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, indoor humidity, compressor frequency, and refrigerant distribution ratio in air cooling evaporator (RDRAE) on the unit performance. The results showed that the dehumidification capacity ranged from 0 to 4.02 kg/h; the EER ranged from 2.71 to 4.57; the cooling capacity ranged from 6822 to 13,080 W. The results can help to make the control logic of the unit, and be used as the basis of energy consumption calculation. Units with temperature and humidity separate control could save about 15.6% of the cooling energy consumption against traditional residential air-conditioner, and 47.8% against the traditional residential air-conditioner that could control both indoor temperature and humidity.     

复合式风冷热泵机组的研究开发

根据长江流域及其以南地区气候特征,研究开发了复合式热泵机组,机组的冷凝器由翅片管组和光面管组串联组成,兼具风冷冷却和蒸发冷却方式特点,介绍了机组的结构和工作原理,分析了机组的技术经济性,比较了该机组相对于风冷机组的节能效果,认为复合式机组具有市场潜力,该样机经过较长时间的实际运行,冬、夏节能效果显著。     

地埋管地源热泵制热性能测试与分析

理论分析地埋管地源热泵相比空气源热泵的节能率。结合工程实例,对地埋管地源热泵地埋管换热器进出水温度、冷凝器进出水温度、热泵机组日能效比、供暖期能效比进行了实测计算。在测试期,地埋管换热器进出水温度、冷凝器进出水温度均在正常范围内波动。日能效比基本不随室外温度的变化而波动,说明热泵机组的制热性能比较稳定。供暖期能效比为3.05,说明该项目地源热泵的制热性能比较理想。     

Exergetic modeling and assessment of solar assisted domestic hot water tank integrated ground-source heat pump systems for residences

The present study deals with the exergetic modeling and performance evaluation of solar assisted domestic hot water tank integrated ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems for residences for the first time to the best of the author's knowledge. The model is applied to a system, which mainly consists of (i) a water-to-water heat pump unit (ii) a ground heat exchanger system having two U-boreholes with an individual depth of 90 m, (iii) a solar collector system composing of rooftop thermal solar collectors with a total surface area of 12 m², (iv) a domestic hot water tank with a electrical supplementary heater, and (v) a floor heating system with a surface of 154 m², and (vi) circulating pumps. Exergy relations for each component of the system and the whole system are derived for performance assessment purposes, while the experimental and assumed values are utilized in the analysis. Exergy efficiency values on a product/fuel basis are found to be 72.33% for the GSHP unit, 14.53% for the solar domestic hot water system and 44.06% for the whole system at dead (reference) state values for 19 °C and 101.325 kPa. Exergetic COP values are obtained to be 0.245 and 0.201 for the GSHP unit and the whole system, respectively. The greatest irreversibility (exergy destruction) on the GSHP unit basis occurs in the condenser, followed by the compressor, expansion valve and evaporator.     

Application of radiant cooling as a passive cooling option in hot humid climate

In hot and humid region, air-conditioning is increasingly used to attain thermal comfort. Air-conditioning is highly energy intensive and it is desirable to develop alternative low-energy means to achieve comfort. In a previous experimental investigation using a room equipped with radiant cooling panel, it was found that cooling water kept to 25 °C could be used to attain thermal comfort under some situations, while water at such temperature would not cause condensation of moisture from air on the panel. This paper reports results of a series of whole-year simulations using TRNSYS computer code on applications of radiant cooling to a room model that represents the actual experimental room. Admitting the inability of radiant cooling to accept latent load, chilled water at 10 °C was supplied to cooling coil to precool ventilation air while water cooled by cooling tower was used for radiant cooling in daytime application. For night-time, cooling water from cooling tower supplied for radiant cooling was found to be sufficient to achieve thermal comfort. Such applications are considered to be more amenable to residential houses.     

Performance study of underground thermal storage in a solar-ground coupled heat pump system for residential buildings

This paper is performed to analyze the performance of underground thermal storage in a solar-ground coupled heat pump system (SGCHPS) for residential building. Based on the experimental results, the system performance during a longer period is simulated by the unit modeling, and its parametric effects are discussed. The results show that the performance of underground thermal storage of SGCHPS depends strongly on the intensity of solar radiation and the matching between the water tank volume and the area of solar collectors. Compared with the solar radiation, the variations of the water tank temperature and the ground temperature rise lag behind and keep several peaks during the day time. For the case of Tianjin, the efficiency of underground thermal storage based on the total solar radiation and absorbed solar energy by the collectors can reach over 40% and 70%, respectively. It is suggested that the reasonable ratio between the tank volume and the area of solar collectors should be in the range of 20–40 L/m².     

Experimental study of mechanical properties of normal-strength concrete exposed to high temperatures at an early age

In China, accidental fires are known to occur during construction, causing concrete to be exposed to high temperatures when it is at an early age (i.e. “young”). In this paper, compressive and splitting tensile strengths of concretes cured for different periods and exposed to high temperatures were obtained. The effects of the duration of curing, maximum temperature and the type of cooling on the strengths of concrete were investigated. Experimental results indicate that after exposure to high temperatures up to 800 °C, early-age concrete that has been cured for a certain period can regain 80% of the compressive strength of the control sample of concrete. The 3-day-cured early-age concrete was observed to recover the most strength. The type of cooling also affects the level of recovery of compressive and splitting tensile strength. For early-age concrete, the relative recovered strengths of specimens cooled by sprayed water are higher than those of specimens cooled in air when exposed to temperatures below 800 °C, while the changes for 28-day concrete are the converse. When the maximum temperature exceeds 800 °C, the relative strength values of all specimens cooled by water spray are lower than those of specimens cooled in air.     

Energetic and exergetic analysis and assessment of a thermal energy storage (TES) unit for building applications

The main objective of this study is to investigate the energetic and exergetic performances of a latent energy storage system in both charging (solidification) and discharging (melting) processes. A shell-and-tube TES unit was designed, constructed and tested in Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey. This experimental unit basically consisted of a heat exchanger section, a measurement system and flow control systems. For the charging mode, the inlet temperatures varied to be −5 °C, −10 °C and −15 °C, while the volumetric flow rates changed to be 2 l/min, 4 l/min and 8 l/min. The experiments were performed for three different tube materials, copper, steel and PE32 and two various shell diameters of 114 mm and 190 mm to investigate the tube material and shell diameter effects on energetic and exergetic efficiencies. It may be concluded that for the charging period, the exergetic efficiency increased with the increase in the inlet temperature and flow rate. For discharging period, irreversibility increased as the temperature difference between the melting temperature of the PCM and the inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) increased and hence the exergy efficiency increased.