The viability of capacity control of high temperature heat pump water heaters operating non-azeotropic mixtures

Leon Liebenberg, Josua P. Meyer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A high temperature electrically-operated heat pump water heater is evaluated in terms of the viability of employing capacity control using non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures (NARMs). The system coefficient of performance (COP) is improved by introducing capacity control, which offers continuous modulation by varying heat pump capacity to match the load. This is accomplished by using a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture (NARM) and clumging the composition (x) of the circulating mixture. The NARM R-22/ R-I42b is selected due to the requirement for a high condensing temperature and a wide capacity range. The life-cycle cost effectiveness of this heat pump is compared with that of a conventional heat pump (operating a pure fluid). Computer simulations show that the capacity-controlled heat pump, operating between compositions of 100% R-22 and 70% R-22, shows a 29.6% improvement in energy conversion when compared with a conventional R-22 heat pump water heater. The payback periods of the capacity-controlled systems, are strongly dependent on electricity tariff, additional system cost, and period and duration of heat pump operation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationASME 1997 Turbo Asia Conference, TA 1997
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791878675
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes
EventASME 1997 Turbo Asia Conference, TA 1997 - Singapore, Singapore
Duration: Sep 30 1997Oct 2 1997

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo

Conference

ConferenceASME 1997 Turbo Asia Conference, TA 1997
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period9/30/9710/2/97

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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