Natural- Gas-Engine-Driven Heat Pumps: Technological advances lead to higher efficiency and lower emissions

摘要

A confluence of economic, environmental, and national-security concerns has led to renewed interest in natural-gas heating. Natural gas is an obvious choice for heating; it is readily available, is cost-effective, and has the lowest carbon content of any fossil fuel. But while the use of natural-gas heating has increased, technology largely has failed to keep pace. The traditional approach of heating fluid with a flame remains largely unchanged and results in appliances with 85- to 95-percent efficiency.