Dynamic simulation during summer of a reversible multi-function heat pump with condensation-heat recovery. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naldi, Claudia; Zanchini, Enzo
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 116(2017)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Reversible air-to-water heat pump -- Dynamic simulation -- Condensation-heat recovery -- Air-conditioning -- Domestic hot water -- Primary-energy saving; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.01.066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: A simulation code for air-to-water heat pumps with heat recovery is obtained. While cooling, the heat pump can supply the condensation heat to Domestic Hot Water. Traditional heat-pump cooling and gas-boiler DHW is considered for comparison. Heat recovery yields 25% seasonal saving in total primary energy. Heat recovery yields 30% seasonal saving in non-renewable primary energy. Abstract: A numerical code for the hourly simulation of reversible electric air-to-water heat pumps has been implemented. It applies to reversible multi-function heat pumps, which, during summer, are used for both space cooling and domestic hot water (DHW) production, with recovery of the condensation heat to produce DHW while cooling. The method can be used both for on-off heat pumps and for inverter-driven ones, coupled with storage tanks for air-conditioning and for DHW production, and integrated by a gas boiler for DHW. The numerical code has been used to evaluate the summer performance of the multi-function inverter-driven heat pump employed in the retrofit of a residential building in Bologna (North-Center Italy). The results show a 30% seasonal saving in non-renewable primary energy with respect to a traditional solution, where the heat pump provides only air-cooling and the gas boiler provides DHW. A validation of the code by comparison with TRNSYS, in the case of cooling-only operation, is provided.