Experimental performance analysis of an improved multifunctional heat pump system

An improved multifunctional heat pump (MFHP) system that integrates an air-source evaporator and a water-water heat exchanger was developed. An experimental set-up and a mathematical model were constructed to evaluate the performance of the MFHP system. Some characteristics of the system, such as the effects of water-water heat exchanger, hot water outlet temperature, and cooling capacities of the air-source and water-source evaporators, were discussed based on experimental data. Experimental results show that the MFHP system could simultaneously supply hot water for bathing and cold air for air conditioning. In addition, the coefficient of heating performance (COPh) varied from 3.69 to 5.70. Analysis results show that the COPh and the hot water volumetric flow rate of the MFHP system were closely related to the inlet and outlet temperature of hot water and wastewater. Empirical models of COPh and hot-water flow rate were proposed to predict the heating performance of the MFHP system. The improved MFHP system is shown to have satisfactory energy saving performance. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.