Comparison of Transcritical CO2 and Conventional Refrigerant Heat Pump Water Heaters for Domestic Applications

Ignacio Paniagua,Rafael Carlier,Ángel Álvaro,Celina Fernández,Javier Martín

doi:10.3390/en12030479

Abstract

Although CO 2 as refrigerant is well known for having the lowest global warming potential (GWP), and commercial domestic heat pump water heater systems exist, its long expected wide spread use has not fully unfolded. Indeed, CO 2 poses some technological difficulties with respect to conventional refrigerants, but currently, these difficulties have been largely overcome. Numerous studies show that CO 2 heat pump water heaters can improve the coefficient of performance (COP) of conventional ones in the given conditions. In this study, the performances of transcritical CO 2 and R410A heat pump water heaters were compared for an integrated nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) application. The thermodynamic cycle of two commercial systems were modelled integrating experimental data, and these models were then used to analyse both heat pumps receiving and producing hot water at equal temperatures, operating at the same ambient temperature. Within the range of operation of the system, it is unclear which would achieve the better COP, as it depends critically on the conditions of operation, which in turn depend on the ambient conditions and especially on the actual use of the water. Technology changes on each side of the line of equal performance conditions of operation (EPOC), a useful design tool developed in the study. The transcritical CO 2 is more sensitive to operating conditions, and thus offers greater flexibility to the designer, as it allows improving performance by optimising the global system design.

Highlights

CO2 as refrigerant is well known for having the lowest global warming potential (GWP) [1], and fully commercial domestic heat pump water heater systems (HPWH) exist, its long expected widespread use has not fully unfolded [2]
Hw,out − hw,in is shown in the table. This specific electric consumption depends on the temperature gap provided by the heat pump and on the efficiency of the heating system, i.e. the HPWH’s coefficient of performance (COP)
The performance of transcritical CO2 heat pumps depends critically on their conditions of operation, while the performance of the R410A is more uniform across the range

Summary

Introduction

CO2 as refrigerant is well known for having the lowest global warming potential (GWP) [1], and fully commercial domestic heat pump water heater systems (HPWH) exist, its long expected widespread use has not fully unfolded [2].CO2 poses some technological difficulties with respect to conventional refrigerants.The high pressure ratio between the evaporator and the cooler necessarily requires double stage compression for reasonable performance, for instance. CO2 as refrigerant is well known for having the lowest global warming potential (GWP) [1], and fully commercial domestic heat pump water heater systems (HPWH) exist, its long expected widespread use has not fully unfolded [2]. CO2 poses some technological difficulties with respect to conventional refrigerants. The high pressure ratio between the evaporator and the cooler necessarily requires double stage compression for reasonable performance, for instance. Proven technology exists for all devices [3], and other solutions could be studied, for example using CO2 blends, as is being done for power cycles [4]. Numerous studies show that the coefficient of performance (COP) of CO2 HPWHs can compare favourably to conventional ones [5]. This, requires taking into consideration a number of issues in the design and operating conditions of the system

Methods

Results

Conclusion