MIXED PHASE COMPRESSION HIGH EFFICIENCY HEAT PUMP

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is the design and realization of a higher efficiency air source heat pump. The improved pump’s operating cost must rival the cost of heating with natural gas, while incurring a minimal increase in the capital cost of the pump. A COP greater than 4 at –15C ambient is needed to achieve this goal. During winter season testing a COP of 4.25 +/- 0.11 was observed. This tracks well with a predicted COP of 4.4 and also against a commercial system with a claimed COP between 2.1 and 3.0.