Seasonal performance evaluation of small engine-driven heat pumps

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7235000

Wurm, J; Panikker, G P.K.; Staats, W R

Heat pumps are generally recognized and immediately available means for conserving the energy used for space conditioning, and the improvement of component characteristics could greatly increase the energy savings. One approach that recognizes the special operating requirements of small air-to-air heat pumps is the use of an onsite gas-operated prime mover as a driver. Results of evaluations of seasonal and year-round performance of various systems of this type are discussed. The operation of residential Rankine piston and small commercial Rankine turbo heat pumps driven with Stirling, Brayton, and Rankine power subsystems are analyzed. Since some of the component candidates have already reached various levels of hardware testing, their characteristics are known. These known characteristics and predicted ones are applied to machines with various types of capacity modulation. Onsite recovery of the engine's rejected heat is used in the heating mode. The main results show superior performance (in terms of seasonal coefficients of performance, or COP) when compared with an electrically driven residential heat pump applied to a typical house heat load, and a better possibility of meeting comfort conditions over a wider range of ambient temperatures, especially for the heating mode.

• Research Organization: Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7235000
• Report Number(s): CONF-761052-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
AIR CONDITIONING
BUILDINGS
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCES
GAS TURBINES
HEAT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT RECOVERY
HEATING
PERFORMANCE
RECOVERY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SPACE HEATING
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VARIATIONS
WASTE HEAT
WASTES