A novel variable speed ASHP frosting suppression operation method based on the frosting suppression performance map

Abstract

For variable speed (VS) space heating air source heat pump (ASHP) unit, its different operation speed combinations may significantly affect the frosting suppression and heating performances. However, currently there is no frosting suppression operation method for VS ASHP units, so that their frosting suppression ability using different speed combinations is not fully utilized. Therefore, a novel frosting suppression operation method based on the frosting suppression performance map for VS ASHPs has been proposed, and its development through experimental is reported in this paper. Firstly, a novel operation method to guide the frosting suppression operation for VS ASHPs is proposed. Secondly, an experimental setup with two VS experimental ASHP units, test conditions, and nine study cases are described. Thirdly, the speed combinations that led to different frosting suppression potentials but with the same output heating capacity were determined using the developed frosting suppression performance map, and comparative tests were carried out. It is shown that the use of the proposed novel frosting suppression operation method with the optimal coefficient of performance (COP), which can increase the total output heating capacity (Q) by 15% and the COP by 25%. The proposed novel operation method was straightforward and simple to implement, which could contribute to the further development of frosting suppression operation for ASHPs.