Title: Potential energy optimisation in a domestic air to water heat pump

Authors: Stephen Tangwe; Kanzumba Kusakana

Addresses: Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa ' Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa

Abstract: The study focused on the determination of the coefficient of performance (COP), exergy losses of an air to water heat pump (AWHP) and presented opportunities for optimisation. Controlled volumes of 150, 50 and 100 L were drawn off from the AWHP at different interval per day for a year. The results depicted that the average annual-day COP, electrical energy consumed and thermal energy gained, were 3.033, 3.625 kWh and 10.996 kWh, respectively. The rate of exergy loss at the evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion valve were 11.63, 41.89, 18.90 and 27.58%.

Keywords: air to water heat pump; AWHP; coefficient of performance; COP; exergy analysis method; energy analysis method.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2021.118715

International Journal of Exergy, 2021 Vol.36 No.2/3/4, pp.173 - 190

Received: 13 Aug 2020
Accepted: 04 Mar 2021
Published online: 03 Nov 2021 *

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