New gas-fired heat pump technologies help chill greenhouse effect

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Oak Ridge National Laboratory Review

OSTI ID:254568

Cabage, B

Air conditioning and space heating account for 46% of the energy used in U.S. buildings. Air conditioning is the single leading cause of peak electric power demands. Much of this building energy comes from combustion of fossil fuels, a major source of carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas. Air conditioning and space heating are also sources of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are also greenhouse gases. They are called greenhouse gases because they prevent heat energy reflected from the earth`s surface from escaping the atmosphere. In theory, that trapped heat could cause global warming, which many scientists believe is already occurring. Advances in energy conversion technologies offer a solution to this problem. DOE, ORNL, and its industrial partners are focusing on an advanced heat pump technology that would eliminate CFCs and use 50% less energy to heat and cool buildings. Such an energy savings would avert an increase in carbon dioxide and other emissions that would occur from increased power generation by fossil-fueled power plants. DOE`s Office of Building Technologies has selected a technology first patented in 1913 and developed further under DOE sponsorship and ORNL oversight in the 1980`s. Called the generator absorber heat-exchange cycle, this absorption heat pump is powered by electricity and natural gas. It does not use a compressor or ozone-depleting CFC refrigerants. Instead, it uses environmentally safe refrigerants that release heat energy when mixed, increasing its thermal efficiency.

• OSTI ID: 254568
• Journal Information: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Review, Journal Name: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Review Journal Issue: 2-3 Vol. 28; ISSN ORNRAH; ISSN 0048-1262
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
DESIGN
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GAS HEAT PUMPS
GREENHOUSE GASES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS