Energy Analysis and Comparison of Advanced Vapour Compression Heat Pump Arrangements

Reductions in fossil fuel use and increases in system efficiency are required to make space heating more environmentally benign. Ground loop heat pumps offer an alternative heating solution that is more environmentally benign than conventional methods. Past studies of these heat pumps have usually focused on basic system arrangements, but new advanced systems are being developed. Here, energy analyses and comparisons are reported for conventional and advanced heat pump arrangements including a basic vapour compression cycle, a vapour compression cycle including electric motor cooling, and a vapour compression cycle with an economizer. The results show that heat pump designs with an economizer have potential for increased coefficients of performance (COPs). A cycle with motor cooling is found to have the same heat pump COP and lower system COP compared to the basic cycle.