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Numerical analysis of the vortex tube characteristics used within a high temperature heat pump.

Number: No 067

Author(s) : ZENZ C., LAUERMANN M., POPOVAC M.

Summary

The application of heat pumps in high temperature processes bears a high potential with respect to energy savings and reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. As heat pumps operating at high temperatures typically involve high refrigerant pressure levels, followed by high expansion work in the refrigerant cycle, an increase in energy efficiency can be achieved by recovering a part of that expansion energy. This paper investigates the applicability of vortex tubes as expansion devices in heat pumps. A vortex tube separates an incoming highpressure stream into a cold and hot low-pressure stream, respectively. The flow field characteristics inside a vortex tube are investigated using state-of-the-art CFD tools. Two possible heat pump cycles utilizing a vortex tube are presented and evaluated using a one-dimensional model of a heat pump. It is shown that the applicability of a vortex tube as expansion device in a heat pump is limited due to several restricting factors. One promising configuration and application is identified and presented in detail, where the use of a vortex tube improves the COP by 19% over a standard heat pump.

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Pages: 11 p.

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  • Original title: Numerical analysis of the vortex tube characteristics used within a high temperature heat pump.
  • Record ID : 30029960
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 13th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2021: Heat Pumps – Mission for the Green World. Conference proceedings [full papers]
  • Publication date: 2021/08/31

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