| Popis: |
A reliable, low cost, high efficiency thermally-driven heat pump for residential and commercial heating and cooling has been the focus of considerable international research for many years. This research has generally been in (1) engine-driven vapor compression systems and (2) liquid/vapor absorption systems. Both concepts have been limited in their ability to successfully compete with the electric heat pump. While the engine driven systems have demonstrated high efficiency, capital and maintenance costs have limited their use to applications having high thermal loads. On the other hand, the liquid/vapor absorption systems have suffered from low efficiency. Efforts to improve the efficiency have increased costs beyond economically allowable limits. The complexity and size of liquid absorption systems also tends to limit their use in residential applications. Solid/vapor adsorption systems were first commercialized in the 1920s and hold great promise for overcoming the limitations of the engine-driven vapor compression and the liquid/vapor absorption systems. The basic solid/vapor adsorption cycle utilized in the period from 1920–40 was simple but inefficient. Recent research indicates a potential for high efficiency, simplicity, and low cost which would make the solid/vapor heat pump an innovative and competitive technology in the residential and commercial sectors. This article describes a system with performance and simplicity advantages, not evident in previous studies, which may lead to the development of a fossil fuel driven heat pump to compete with the electric heat pump. |
