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Experimental Investigation of Frost Formation Influence on an Air Source Heat Pump Evaporator

Author

Listed:
  • Tomas Kropas

    (Department of Building Energetics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio Al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Giedrė Streckienė

    (Department of Building Energetics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio Al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Juozas Bielskus

    (Department of Building Energetics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio Al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania)

Abstract

The application of heat pumps in the heating systems of buildings in the cold or transitional season is becoming an increasingly common practice not only in Lithuania but in other countries as well. Due to the growing popularity of air-to-air or air-to-water heat pumps in the building sector, the problem of the evaporator heat exchanger freezing is also becoming more and more relevant. As the outdoor temperature drops, so does the heat pump’s coefficient of performance (COP) for heating. The freezing of the evaporator surface increases the energy consumption of the system, has a negative effect on heat exchange, distorts the normal operating cycle of the heat pump and the energy is wasted for defrosting processes. This article describes the experimental investigation of an air-to-water heat pump, presents the results obtained during the experiments and their interfaces. The experiments were carried out during the transitional/cold season. It was found that frost formation on the evaporator started when the outdoor temperature was <3.5 °C and the relative humidity reached 88%. The defrosting cycle took an average of 5 min. The impact of the evaporator freezing on the operation and COP of the heat pump was assessed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomas Kropas & Giedrė Streckienė & Juozas Bielskus, 2021. "Experimental Investigation of Frost Formation Influence on an Air Source Heat Pump Evaporator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5737-:d:633785
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Konrad, Mary Elizabeth & MacDonald, Brendan D., 2023. "Cold climate air source heat pumps: Industry progress and thermodynamic analysis of market-available residential units," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).

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