Gas-fired heat pumps: an emerging technology

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · ASHRAE J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7213590

Sarkes, L A; Nicholls, J A; Menzer, M S

Gas-fired heat pumps are under development as part of the effort to use natural gas more efficiently and economically. Of three types reviewed (the Stirling/Rankine, Brayton/Rankine, and Organic Absorption) the Stirling/Rankine system performs best and is the only system competitive with the electric vapor compression system. Analysis of the potential market for gas-fired heat pumps in the residential and commercial sectors, where space heating and cooling represents two-thirds and half respectively of the gas consumption, indicates an opportunity for significant energy savings. Research programs sponsored by the American Gas Association have set 1981 as a target date for residential units and 1983 for commercial units in their program to demonstrate a reliability equivalent to conventional gas-fired furnaces at a cost that is within 15 percent of a combined forced air furnace-electric air conditioner and has a less than four-year payback. Details of the three models are covered, including basic concepts, status of development, and potential for energy savings. The Stirling/Rankine system has also raised interest as an automotive engine. (DCK)

• Research Organization: American Gas Association, Arlington, VA
• OSTI ID: 7213590
• Journal Information: ASHRAE J.; (United States), Journal Name: ASHRAE J.; (United States) Vol. 19:3; ISSN ASHRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030000 -- Natural Gas
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
294003* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
42 ENGINEERING
425000 -- Engineering-- Power Cycles-- (1980-)
425003 -- Engineering-- Power Cycles-- Stirling-- (1980-)
AIR CONDITIONING
BRAYTON CYCLE
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
COOLANTS
COOLING
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS COOLING
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING
MARKET
NATURAL GAS
ORGANIC COOLANTS
PERFORMANCE
RELIABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SPECIFICATIONS
STIRLING CYCLE
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES