Resedential space conditioning with solid sorption technology

Abstract

Approximately 50% of residential energy use in the U.S. is for space heating and cooling. The most popular type of system installed in U.S. houses is a central air-circulating system combining a natural-gas-fired direct-air-heating furnace and an electric-driven vapor compression cooling system. Natural-gas-driven heat pump technology offers considerable benefits over these existing technologies including a reduction in energy use, improved environmental impact, and reduced investment in electric power plant construction. However, over the past 30 years, more than 100 major natural-gas-driven heat pump development projects have been undertaken without a currently successful product. These past projects have focused on engine-driven vapor compression refrigeration cycles and liquid sorption refrigeration cycles. New solid sorption technology offers significant advantages over these engine and liquid sorption technologies. The fundamental advantages of solid sorption refrigeration technology in natural gas residential heat pumps are presented and the societal benefits over existing residential systems discussed.