Performance of the ground-source heat pump system for hot water supply with a small refrigerant charge.

In this study, a layered microchannel heat exchanger (LMHE) was incorporated into the condenser and evaporator of a ground-source heat pump system for hot water supply to reduce its size. Additionally, its operating performance was evaluated using a small amount of refrigerant charge. At a condenser heat transfer rate of 5 kW under hot water inlet temperature conditions during summer and winter, the effects of hot water temperature increased range, refrigerant flow rate, and heat transfer rate on its system coefficient of performance were clarified. In addition, the performance of the LMHE and effects of geothermal conditions were evaluated while the ground-source heat pump system was operating, to clarify the changes in system performance and the heat source. The improvement effect of the layered-microchannel intermediate heat exchanger was further verified.