Natural Gas I. C. (Internal Combustion) Engine Heat Pump Study

摘要

The internal combustion engine heat pump is one gas heat pump technology which uses existing component technology; it therefore offers the possibility of early development of a commercially viable gas heat pump. In order to assess the development barriers, this project carried out field tests on an I.C. engine heat pump providing heating and cooling to a residence over two heating and two cooling seasons. Experimental results showed steady state and seasonal heating coefficients of performance (COP) of 1.4 to 1.5 with cooling COP's 0.5 to 0.6. These efficiencies were in spite of the low 16% efficiency of the 1600 cc four cylinder industrial engine due to being loaded only to about 25%. Using experimental engine/compressor data in conjunction with an air-to-air heat pump system configuration model, seasonal heating COP's of 1.33, 1.45, and 1.53 were predicted for Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando respectively. Cooling COP's were 0.73 in all three cities. Higher engine loading would improve all COP's. No maintenance was required for the 2400 hours of operation during two heating and two cooling seasons. Noise in the equipment room was 63 dB with 61 dB measured outside next to the exhaust outlet.