Experimental performance analysis on a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump water heater

A direct expansion solar assisted heat pump water heater (DX-SAHPWH) experimental set-up is introduced and analyzed. This DX-SAHPWH system mainly consists of 4.20 m² direct expansion type collector/evaporator, R-22 rotary-type hermetic compressor with rated input power 0.75 kW, 150 L water tank with immersed 60 m serpentine copper coil and external balance type thermostatic expansion valve. The experimental research under typical spring climate in Shanghai showed that the COP of the DX-SAHPWH system can reach 6.61 when the average temperature of 150 L water is heated from 13.4 °C to 50.5 °C in 94 min with average ambient temperature 20.6 °C and average solar radiation intensity 955 W/m². And the COP of the DX-SAHPWH system is 3.11 even if at a rainy night with average ambient temperature 17.1 °C. The seasonal average value of the COP and the collector efficiency was measured as 5.25 and 1.08, respectively. Through exergy analysis for each component of the DX-SAHPWH system, it can be calculated that the highest exergy loss occurs in the compressor, followed by collector/evaporator, condenser and expansion valve, respectively. Further more, some methods are suggested to improve the thermal performance of each component and the whole DX-SAHPWH system.     

Thermal performance analysis of a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump water heater

A direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump water heater (DX-SAHPWH) is described, which can supply hot water for domestic use during the whole year. The system mainly employs a bare flat-plate collector/evaporator with a surface area of 4.2 m², an electrical rotary-type hermetic compressor, a hot water tank with the volume of 150 L and a thermostatic expansion valve. R-22 is used as working fluid in the system. A simulation model based on lumped and distributed parameter approach is developed to predict the thermal performance of the system. Given the structure parameters, meteorological parameters, time step and final water temperature, the numerical model can output operational parameters, such as heat capacity, system COP and collector efficiency. Comparisons between the simulation results and the experimental measurements show that the model is able to give satisfactory predictions. The effect of various parameters, including solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed and compressor speed, has been analyzed on the thermal performance of the system.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of a solar heating system with heat pump

In this study, the performance of a solar heating system with a heat pump was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The experimental results were obtained from November to April during the heating season. The experimentally obtained results are used to calculate the heat pump coefficient of performance (COP), seasonal heating performance, the fraction of annual load met by free energy, storage and collector efficiencies and total energy consumption of the systems during the heating season. The average seasonal heating performance values are 4.0 and 3.0 for series and parallel heat pump systems, respectively. A mathematical model was also developed for the analysis of the solar heating system. The model consists of dynamic and heat transfer relations concerning the fundamental components in the system such as solar collector, latent heat thermal energy storage tank, compressor, condenser, evaporator and meteorological data. Some model parameters of the system such as COP, theoretical collector numbers (N_c), collector efficiency, heating capacity, compressor power, and temperatures (T₁, T₂, T₃, T_T) in the storage tank were calculated by using the experimental results. It is concluded that the theoretical model agreed well with the experimental results.     

Study on a direct‐expansion solar‐assisted heat pump water heating system

Analytical and experimental studies were performed on a direct‐expansion solar‐assisted heat pump (DX‐SAHP) water heating system, in which a 2 m² bare flat collector acts as a source as well as an evaporator for the refrigerant. A simulation model was developed to predict the long‐term thermal performance of the system approximately. The monthly averaged COP was found to vary between 4 and 6, while the collector efficiency ranged from 40 to 60%. The simulated results were used to obtain an optimum design of the system and to determinate a proper strategy for system operating control. The effect of various parameters, including solar insolation, ambient temperature, collector area, storage volume and speed of compressor, had been investigated on the thermal performance of the DX‐SAHP system, and the results had indicated that the system performance is governed strongly by the change of solar insolation, collector area and speed of compressor. The experimental results obtained under winter climate conditions were shown to agree reasonably with the computer simulation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of adding flash tank to solar combined ejector–absorption refrigeration system

Performance of the absorption cooling system is still a challenge due to the coefficient of performance (COP) that is generally poor when compared with the conventional vapor compression cycle. High solar radiation in hot climates is usually associated with high ambient temperature and consequently peak cooling demand. Absorption cooling cycles can be powered by solar but the performance is limited by heat source temperature (solar collector) and high ambient temperature that can affect the condensation process. Efficiency enhancement of the system components is essential to increase the COP of the system. A modification in the combined absorption–ejector cooling system is adopted. Adding a removable flash tank between the condenser and evaporator could improve entrainment ratio of the ejector, along with improving the cooling effect inside the evaporator. A computer simulation program is developed to evaluate the performance of the modified combined cycle using aqua-ammonia (NH₃–H₂O) refrigerant. The performance of the proposed combined cooling cycle is compared with basic absorption, and combined absorption–ejector cooling cycles. Results showed a significant improvement in the COP of the modified cycle at different operating conditions. Cooling effect and capacity of the evaporator is enhanced due to the reduction of flash gas delivered to the evaporator. Furthermore, the flash tank optimized the ejector entertainment ratio and consequently increasing the condenser pressure. This optimization will enable the system to perform well in hot climates where the condenser efficiency is limited by ambient temperature.     

Performance characteristics of integral type solar-assisted heat pump

The characteristic of an integral type solar-assisted heat pump water heater (ISAHP) is investigated in the present study. The ISAHP consists of a Rankine refrigeration cycle and a thermosyphon loop that are integrated together to form a package heater. Both solar and ambient air energies are absorbed at the collector/evaporator and pumped to the storage tank via a Rankine refrigeration cycle and a thermosyphon heat exchanger. The condenser releases condensing heat of the refrigerant to the water side of the thermosyphon heat exchanger for producing a natural-circulation flow in the thermosyphon loop. A 105-liter ISAHP using a bare collector and a small R134a reciprocating-type compressor with rated input power 250 W was built and tested in the present study. The ISAHP was designed to operate at an evaporating temperature lower than the ambient temperature and a matched condition (near saturated vapor compression cycle and compressor exhaust temperature <100°C). A performance model is derived and found to be able to fit the experimental data very well for the ISAHP. The COP for the ISAHP built in the present study lies in the range 2.5–3.7 at water temperature between 61 and 25°C.     

System optimization and experimental research on air source heat pump water heater

This paper deals with the system optimization of air source heat pump water heater (ASHPWH), including calculating and testing. The ASHPWH system consists of a heat pump, a water tank and connecting pipes. Air energy is absorbed at the evaporator and pumped to storage tank via a Rankine cycle. The coil pipe/condenser releases condensing heat of the refrigerant to the water side. An ASHPWH using a rotary compressor heated the water from initial temperature to the set temperature (55 °C). The capillary tube length, the filling quantity of refrigerant, the condenser coil tube length and system matching are discussed accordingly. From the testing results, it could be seen that the system performance COP could be improved obviously.     

Effect of load pattern on solar-boosted heat pump water heater performance

The performance of a solar-boosted heat pump water heater (HPWH) operating under full load and part load conditions was determined in an outdoor experimental study. The system utilised flat unglazed aluminium solar evaporator panels to absorb solar and ambient energy. Absorbed energy was transferred to the water tank by means of the heat pump and a wrap around condenser coil on the outside of the tank. The system COP was found to be in the range of 5–7 under clear daytime conditions and 3–5 under clear night-time conditions. Using part load testing of the HPWH system it was found that concentrating the coils in the lower portion of the tank could increase the efficiency of the condenser coil. It was also shown that there exists a generalised linear relationship that can be used to describe the system COP in terms of the temperature difference between the water in the storage tank and the ambient air.     

PERFORMANCE OF A HEAT PUMP USING DIRECT EXPANSION SOLAR COLLECTORS

Theoretical and experimental studies were made on the thermal performance of a heat pump that used a bare flat-plate collector as the evaporator. The analysis used empirical equations to express the electric power consumption of the compressor and coefficient of performance (COP), as functions of temperature of evaporation at the evaporator and that of the heat transfer medium (water) at the inlet of the condenser. The experimental heat pump had a compressor with a rated capacity of 350 W and collectors with the total area of 3.24 m². Around noon in winter the evaporator temperature was found to be about 17°C higher than the ambient air temperature of 8°C, and a COP of about 5.3 was obtained when the water temperature at the condenser inlet was 40°C. These measured evaporation temperatures and COPs were in good agreement with those predicted by the analysis. According to the analysis, the total area of the collectors in the experiment was appropriate for the heat pump system. Also, the 1-mm thickness of the collector's copper plate used in the experiment could be 0.5 mm with little reduction of COP. The pitch of the tube soldered to the copper plate for the refrigerant flow was 100 mm in the experiment, but the COP would only be reduced by about 4% if the pitch were changed to 190 mm.     

Solar heat pump drying and water heating in the tropics

In this study, the performance of a solar assisted heat pump dryer and water heater has been investigated. A simulation program has been developed. The predicted results are compared with those obtained from experiments under the meteorological conditions of Singapore. A coefficient of performance (COP) value of 7.0 for a compressor speed of 1800 rpm was observed. Maximum collector efficiencies of 0.86 and 0.7 have been found for evaporator–collector and air collector, respectively. A value of the specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) of 0.65 has been obtained for a load of 20 kg and a compressor speed of 1200 rpm. Results suggest that the total drying time of the product decreases with the increase in drying potential. Drying potential is directly proportional to the air flow rate, drying air temperature and inversely proportional to the air relative humidity. Three important parameters that affect the system performance are solar radiation, compressor speed and the total load placed in the drying chamber. Both SMER and COP decrease with increase in compressor speed.     

A thermodynamic model of a solar assisted heat pump system with energy storage

In this study, a thermodynamic model of a solar assisted heat pump system with energy storage was developed. The model consists of thermodynamic correlations concerning the fundamental equipment in the system such as solar collector, energy storage tank, compressor, condenser and evaporator. Some model parameters of the system were calculated by using experimental results obtained from a pilot plant. Simulation studies were performed to assess the importance of some design factors on the system performance and economy.     

Performance analysis of an air-source heat pump using an immersed water condenser

A distributed model of an air-source heat pump (ASHP) system and its experimental setup using an immersed water condenser were presented. Dynamic performance of the ASHP was then evaluated by both simulation and experiment. The results indicated that the system coefficient of performance (COP) decreased as the condenser temperature increased, ranging from 4.41 to 2.32 with the average COP equaling 3.29 during the experiment. Comparisons between simulation results and experimental measurements demonstrated that the model was able to yield satisfactory predictions. Furthermore, temperature profiles of the refrigerant in the evaporator and condenser were also given. This paper provides the theoretical and experimental background for ASHP system optimization and a valuable reference for a solar air-source heat pump water heater when the solar irradiation energy is insufficient on cloudy or rainy days.     

Performance analysis of an air-source heat pump using an immersed water condenser

A distributed model of an air-source heat pump (ASHP) system and its experimental setup using an immersed water condenser were presented. Dynamic performance of the ASHP was then evaluated by both simulation and experiment. The results indicated that the system coefficient of performance (COP) decreased as the condenser temperature increased, ranging from 4.41 to 2.32 with the average COP equaling 3.29 during the experiment. Comparisons between simulation results and experimental measurements demonstrated that the model was able to yield satisfactory predictions. Furthermore, temperature profiles of the refrigerant in the evaporator and condenser were also given. This paper provides the theoretical and experimental background for ASHP system optimization and a valuable reference for a solar air-source heat pump water heater when the solar irradiation energy is insufficient on cloudy or rainy days.     

Numerical Simulation of the Performance of a Capillary Thermal Driven Ejector Refrigerator

A capillary driven ejector refrigerator is a new refrigeration system that can use solar energy and other low-grade heat sources. In this paper, the performance of the refrigeration system is simulated numerically by use of an iteration algorithm and block exchanging technology for all unit models. The flow and heat transfer characteristics in a solar collector, generator, ejector, condenser, and evaporator are analyzed and calculated. The results show that when the generating temperature is higher than 75–80°C and the environmental temperature is lower than 35°C, the system can work normally; the coefficient of performance of this refrigeration system is in the range of 0.05–0.15 by use of water as a refrigerant. The cooling capacity and COP increase with an increasing generative temperature and decreasing condensing pressure.     

Steady‐state model of a variable speed vapor compression system using R134a as working fluid

This paper presents a steady‐state physical model for a variable speed vapor compression system. Its development and validation for a wide range of operating conditions are presented. The model requires as input parameters: compressor speed, static superheating degree and volumetric flow rates and temperatures of secondary fluids at the evaporator and condenser inlet. Using these input parameters, which can be easily obtained in this kind of facility, the model predicts the operating pressures, the temperature of secondary fluids at the evaporator and condenser outlet, the evaporator and condenser thermal capacities, the electric power consumed by the compressor and the coefficient of performance, COP. The experimental validation of the model has been carried out with 177 tests using R134a as working fluid, concluding that the model can predict the energetic performance of a variable speed vapor compression chiller with an error lower than ±10%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Artificial neural networks for automotive air-conditioning systems performance prediction

In this study, ANN model for a standard air-conditioning system for a passenger car was developed to predict the cooling capacity, compressor power input and the coefficient of performance (COP) of the automotive air-conditioning (AAC) system. This paper describes the development of an experimental rig for generating the required data. The experimental rig was operated at steady-state conditions while varying the compressor speed, air temperature at evaporator inlet, air temperature at condenser inlet and air velocity at evaporator inlet. Using these data, the network using Lavenberg–Marquardt (LM) variant was optimized for 4–3–3 (neurons in input–hidden–output layers) configuration. The developed ANN model for the AAC system shows good performance with an error index in the range of 0.65–1.65%, mean square error (MSE) between 1.09 × 10^?5 and 9.05 × 10^?5 and the root mean square error (RMSE) in the range of 0.33–0.95%. Moreover, the correlation which relates the predicted outputs of the ANN model to the experimental results has a high coefficient in predicting the AAC system performance.     

工质为R415b的空气源热泵热水器性能实验研究

通过对工质为R415b的空气源热泵热水器的性能实验,给出了环境温度和相对湿度不同时,随着水箱内水温的升高,热泵系统内蒸发压力、冷凝压力、压比、吸气温度、液管温度、冷凝侧过热度和过冷度、蒸发侧过热度以及COP的变化规律,指出了空气源热泵热水器的COP不仅随水温动态变化,而且与气温及湿度有关。同时,还对水箱内水的升温规律以及与热泵循环参数的关联进行了研究。     

Thermal performance of a direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump

A direct expansion solar assisted heat pump, in which a bare flat plate collector also acts as the evaporator for the refrigerant, Freon-12, is designed and operated. The system components, e.g. the collector and the compressor, are properly matched so as to result in system operating conditions wherein the collector/evaporator temperature ranges from 0 to 10°C above ambient temperature under favorable solar conditions. This operating temperature range is particularly favorable to improved heat pump and solar collector performance. The system thermal performance is determined by measuring refrigerant flow rate, temperature and pressure at various points in the system. The heat pump COP_H and the solar collector efficiency ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 and from 40 to 70 per cent, respectively, for widely ranging ambient and operating conditions. Experimental results indicate that the proposed system offers significant advantage in terms of superior thermal performance when compared with results gotten by replacing the solar evaporator with a standard outdoor fan-coil unit.     

An efficient solar-powered adsorption chiller and its application in low-temperature grain storage

A novel solar-powered adsorption cooling system for low-temperature grain storage has been built, which consists of a solar-powered water heating system, a silica gel–water adsorption chiller, a cooling tower and a fan coil unit. The adsorption chiller is composed of two identical adsorption units, each of them containing an adsorber, a condenser, and an evaporator/receiver. The two water evaporators have been incorporated into one methanol evaporator by the use of the concept of a gravity heat pipe. In order to improve the system efficiency and achieve continuous cooling production, the adsorbers are operated out-of-phase, and heat and mass recovery processes have been used. During the period from July to September of 2004, the system was put into experimental operation to cool the headspace (i.e., the air volume above the grain) of a grain bin. Three months of operation showed promising performance. The chiller had a cooling power between 66 and 90 W per m² of collector surface, with a daily solar cooling coefficient of performance (COP_solar) ranging from 0.096 to 0.13. The electric cooling COP was between 2.6 and 3.4.     

Performance characteristics of a high temperature water-to-water heat pump

A simulation model is utilized to predict the performance of a high temperature water-to-water heat pump, running on Refrigerant 11, over a range of evaporator and condenser water temperature (10 to 40°C and 40 to 70°C) and compressor speeds (500 to 3000 r.p.m.). It is shown that heat pump power output can be effectively controlled by varying compressor speed. Effects of compressor speed, heat source and heat sink (end-use) temperature on the heat pump efficiency are presented. Special attention is devoted to the values of predicted refrigerant temperature at the compressor discharge. These are compared with the thermal limit of the refrigerant. Modifications to the system, to reduce refrigerant maximum temperature, are also discussed.