Abstract
After widespread use for refrigeration and cooling, heat pumps (HPs) are also becoming mainstream for private and public building heating. Driving forces are the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the increased
availability of renewable electricity. Nowadays, HPs find use in industry, choosing for low temperature (waste) heat and cheap (renewable) electricity rather than a combustion system for the production of process heat.
However, temperatures above 150°C still present challenges for HP systems based on a vapour-compression process, being limited by compressor technology and availability of suitable refrigerants. So-called very high
temperature heat pumps (VHTHPs) based on alternative processes using renewable electricity are an
attractive “green” route to producing ~200 °C steam. This paper describes work aiming at improving the
performance, reliability and efficiency of an industrial Stirling engine-based heat pump system in operation at
a pharmaceutical research facility. It is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 FTI programme, targeting reduced
greenhouse gas emissions, efficient use of energy and increased use of renewable energy resources. In short,
heat output shall increase from 500 kW to 750 kW closer to 200°C rather than 180°C with input heat of ~ 30°C
while efficiency expressed as coefficient of performance (COPHP) increases from 1.4 – 1.5 to 1.8 –1.9. The
approach is to increase the pressure of the (helium) medium, while changes to the hardware would involve
new designs for the internal heat exchanger, regenerator, piston rod seal, piston rings and other seals. CFD
and structural mechanics models were used to simulate existing and future designs for heat exchangers,
regenerator and seals while process dynamics simulations showed the response to, for example, small leaks
and the effect of dissimilar temperature gradients in the heat exchangers or regenerator porosity. The results
show how the existing system could be improved to obtain the enhanced performance aimed at.
availability of renewable electricity. Nowadays, HPs find use in industry, choosing for low temperature (waste) heat and cheap (renewable) electricity rather than a combustion system for the production of process heat.
However, temperatures above 150°C still present challenges for HP systems based on a vapour-compression process, being limited by compressor technology and availability of suitable refrigerants. So-called very high
temperature heat pumps (VHTHPs) based on alternative processes using renewable electricity are an
attractive “green” route to producing ~200 °C steam. This paper describes work aiming at improving the
performance, reliability and efficiency of an industrial Stirling engine-based heat pump system in operation at
a pharmaceutical research facility. It is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 FTI programme, targeting reduced
greenhouse gas emissions, efficient use of energy and increased use of renewable energy resources. In short,
heat output shall increase from 500 kW to 750 kW closer to 200°C rather than 180°C with input heat of ~ 30°C
while efficiency expressed as coefficient of performance (COPHP) increases from 1.4 – 1.5 to 1.8 –1.9. The
approach is to increase the pressure of the (helium) medium, while changes to the hardware would involve
new designs for the internal heat exchanger, regenerator, piston rod seal, piston rings and other seals. CFD
and structural mechanics models were used to simulate existing and future designs for heat exchangers,
regenerator and seals while process dynamics simulations showed the response to, for example, small leaks
and the effect of dissimilar temperature gradients in the heat exchangers or regenerator porosity. The results
show how the existing system could be improved to obtain the enhanced performance aimed at.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of 33rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS |
| Place of Publication | Osaka, Japan |
| Publisher | ECOS2020 Local organising committee, Japan |
| Pages | 1042-1053 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781713814061 |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
| MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
| Event | 33rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS - Osaka, Japan Duration: 29 Jun 2020 → 3 Dec 2020 https://ecos2020.org/ |
Publication series
| Name | INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS |
|---|---|
| Volume | 33 |
Conference
| Conference | 33rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ECOS2020 |
| Country/Territory | Japan |
| City | Osaka |
| Period | 29/06/20 → 03/12/20 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Heat pump system, Stirling engine, increased output, efficiency, system dynamics