Introduction to engine-driven heat pumps

Conference · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · ASHRAE Trans.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6515153

Colosimo, D D

Concerns about energy efficiency and economics have prompted the consideration of using heat pumps for space conditioning of residential and light commercial buildings. In current commercial practice fuel is converted at a central electric station to provide power to heat pumps driven by an electric motor, with auxiliary heat provided by electric resistance. An obvious improvement in energy utilization would be to move the fuel conversion process from the central station to the point of use. Also, the use of a combustion engine directly driving a heat pump compressor would allow the combustion engine's waste heat to be utilized at the site to provide supplemental space heating or water heating. This improved utilization of fuel has given rise to the development of unitary combustion-engine-driven heat pumps in Europe, Japan, and the United States. A brief summary of some of the technical approaches that have been and are currently being pursued is presented along with several system approaches. In addition, this paper addresses thee energy and economic driving forces for the development of the unitary combustion-engine-driven heat pump. Finally, some of the institutional forces promoting and deterring the adoption of this technology in the United States are discussed.

• Research Organization: Business Development, Mechanical Technology Inc., Latham, NY (US)
• OSTI ID: 6515153
• Report Number(s): CONF-870620-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Journal Volume: 93:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100 -- Internal Combustion Engines
AIR CONDITIONING
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
REVIEWS
SPACE HEATING
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS