Experimental investigation on a novel triple heat sources-driven absorption heat pump system

Abstract

This paper presents a novel triple heat sources-driven absorption heat pump system. The exhaust gas is used as the heat source for a high-pressure generator. The superheated refrigerant vapor generated by the high-pressure generator is used for heating the solution in the low-pressure generator 1 by releasing the latent and sensible heat. The low-temperature solar thermal energy serves as the heat source of the low-pressure generator 2. The geothermal energy supplies heat to the evaporator. Heat discharged from the condenser and the absorber is supplied to the air conditioner heat medium water. The high- and low-pressure generators are coupled to each other through an ejector. The introduction of the ejector reduces the pressure of the low pressure generator 2 below the condensing pressure so that the lower temperature solar thermal energy can be utilized. An experimental setup for this heat pump cycle is built, and an experimental investigation is carried out. The influences of the independent variables on the key internal operating parameters and heating performance have been investigated. Experimental studies show that when the hot air temperature is 213 °C and the temperature of the hot water is 43.5 °C, a heating capacity of 26.6 kW can be achieved with a heating performance coefficient greater than 1.7. In this way, an efficient and full use of waste heat is realized, and the results can provide an important basis for the design and wide application of low-temperature solar thermal and geothermal energy.