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Integrated control system with DC inverter technology for heat pumps.

Author(s) : MUVEGI W., LAMANNA B.

Summary

In the control of the heat pumps for domestic, light commercial or industrial use the priority is now focused on energy issues and efficiency. Both heat pumps components such as compressors, expansion devices, fans and electronic control systems are responsible for the total annual energy cost of the unit. The use of advanced technologies will reduce dramatically the actual energy consumption of the standard heat pumps only if the unit management is accurate taking care about the most important component, the compressor. The DC inverter compressors are well known as extremely efficient components due to the motor efficiency and the wide range of capacity modulation (up to 15-100%). Anyway, the compressor driving and management are far more complicate than a standard compressor. A dedicated DC inverter, by virtue of powerful digital control algorithms, must be strictly tuned to the driven compressor motor. On the other end, the compressor reliability and performance is also depending on the working conditions that can not be easily controlled. From this viewpoint, a complete system has been developed for the control of an heat pump with DC inverter compressor, electronic expansion valve and EC fans or pumps. The system is composed by the main controller, user interface, DC inverter and electronic expansion valve. The compressor specification is completely managed by the controller as far as, for example, the compressor envelope, the speed rate and range, the start-up and oil management, the suction or discharge gas temperature limits and so on. The integration on the same “mind” of all component management including the DC inverter will grant a top efficiency unit that can work in any internal/external condition with the maximum efficiency at any compressor capacity. This brings to an extremely high seasonal performance of the heat pump. Afterwards, the seasonal COP is directly connected with the total annual energy consumption of the unit far more than the nominal COP often wrongly used for the unit rating. A full test protocol has been followed to analyze the benefits of the control solution both for the compressor safety and performance.

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Pages: 215-223

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Details

  • Original title: Integrated control system with DC inverter technology for heat pumps.
  • Record ID : 30001153
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Sources/sinks Alternative to the Outside Air for Heat Pump and Air-conditioning Techniques (Alternative Sources - AS), Padua, Italy, April 5-7, 2011. / International Sorption Heat Pump Conference (ISHPC11), Padua, Italy, April 6-8, 2011.
  • Publication date: 2011/04/05

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