Title: Assessment of exergy efficiency and Sustainability Index of an air–water heat pump

Authors: I. Dincer, G.F. Naterer

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H 7K4. ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H 7K4

Abstract: This study is undertaken to predict the second law performance of an air/water heat pump. Through energy and exergy analyses, analytical expressions are derived for the Coefficient of Performance (COP) and Exergy Efficiency (ηexe). The system is analysed to predict how the mass flow rate of R-134a, condensation and evaporation temperatures influence the system performance at various operating conditions. The results indicate that a higher COP and ηexe may arise when increasing the mass flow rate of the refrigerant, increasing the evaporation temperature, or lowering the condensation temperature. Additional results are presented for the optimum performance of the system.

Keywords: heat pumps; COP; coefficient of performance; exergy efficiency; refrigerant; environmental impact; sustainable development; sustainability index; exergy analysis; energy analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2010.029613

International Journal of Exergy, 2010 Vol.7 No.1, pp.37 - 50

Published online: 30 Nov 2009 *

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