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Experimental analysis on a novel frost-free air-source heat pump water heater system

Zhihua Wang, Yuxin Zheng, Fenghao Wang, Xinke Wang, Zhang Lin, Jingchao Li, Chao Huan

    Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

    Abstract

    Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are being widely used in residential and commercial buildings and have a huge potential market and development foreground for its energy-savings, high efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, at low temperatures, frost can accumulate on the surface of the finned outdoor coil which will decrease the heating capacity and coefficient of performance (COP). This paper proposes a novel frost-free air-source heat pump water heater (ASHPWH) system, which is coupled to an extra heat exchanger coated by a solid desiccant (EHECSD) with an energy storage device (ESD). To test the system performance, experiments are carried out and the results show that the relative humidity (RH) of the air can be reduced to 52% after dehumidification and the outdoor heat exchanger can be kept frost-free for 34 min at a temperature of 0 °C and relative humidity (RH) of 80%. In addition, the average COP of the system is 2.81 in a single period, which is an increase of 7.25% and 46.3% in comparison with hot-gas bypass defrosting (HGBD) and electric resistance heating (ERH) respectively. With this new technology, it has been proven that frost-free ASHPWH be achieved. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)808-816
    JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
    Volume70
    Issue number1
    Online published22 May 2014
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 5 Sept 2014

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
      SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    Research Keywords

    • Air-source heat pump
    • Energy storage device
    • Frost
    • Hot water
    • Solid desiccant

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