Description
Heat pumps offer a highly efficient alternative to fossil fuels like coal and gas by utilizing waste heat with minimal use of electricity. Industrial heat pumps are especially pertinent to the manufacturing sector. However, in the expansion valves used in traditional heat pumps an irreversible dissipation process occurs.An innovative component inserted into the refrigeration circuit, the ejector, has the potential to decrease these losses significantly and improve the Coefficient of Performance of heat pumps by up to 26% in comparison to conventional systems.
An ejector normally is a passive component without moving parts consisting of three openings – the suction, motive and outlet nozzle: The high-pressure motive flow induces a suction flow from the low-pressure side, resulting in a higher pressure at the compressor inlet. This process reduces the electrical power required for compressor operation.
Within the FFG's research project “ETHP – Ejector Technologies for Heat Pumps”, an industrial high temperature heat pump featuring an ejector was designed. The system was optimized for a source temperature of approximately 45°C and a sink temperature of around 130°C. Various ejector geometries were simulated and compared until an optimal ejector design with a variable inner geometry was identified.
The heat pump and ejector were manufactured and put into operation. Over 30 sensors were installed to gather measurement data on pressure, temperature gradients, and refrigerant mass flow at various points within the refrigerant circuit. The collected data were analyzed and visualized in real-time using LabVIEW, focusing particularly on the impact of the ejector. The data provide the foundation to validate the three-dimensional simulation models of the ejector.
| Period | 24 Sept 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 73. Jahrestagung der Österreichischen Physikalischen Gesellschaft |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Linz, AustriaShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |
Research Field
- Efficiency in Industrial Processes and Systems
Keywords
- ETHP
- Ejector
- CFD
- Heat Pumps