In the quest for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions, a team of researchers led by Yuxiang Zhang from the School of Energy and Power Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Light Industry has made significant strides in optimizing trans-critical CO2 heat pump systems. Their work, recently published in the journal *Energies* (which translates to “Energies” in English), introduces a novel approach to enhancing the performance of these systems by leveraging composite heat sources.
The study focuses on a novel compression/ejection trans-critical CO2 heat pump (CTHP) system, which is designed to make better use of renewable heat sources. The researchers introduced a composite-heat-source matching ratio to evaluate how different temperatures from high and low-temperature heat sources affect the system’s performance. This ratio is crucial for understanding the impact of renewable energy sources like geothermal or air-source heat on the overall efficiency of the heat pump system.
“Our findings indicate that the composite-heat-source matching ratio is just as significant as the evaporating temperature in optimizing the high-pressure side of the system,” said Yuxiang Zhang, the lead author of the study. The research revealed that the optimum gas cooler outlet pressure can be reduced by up to 3.13% with an increase in evaporating temperature and by up to 1.67% with an increase in the composite-heat-source matching ratio. These insights provide valuable guidelines for system design and operating condition selection, ultimately aiming to increase the utilization rate of renewable heat sources in urban buildings.
The implications of this research are substantial for the energy sector. By improving the efficiency of trans-critical CO2 heat pump systems, the study paves the way for more effective use of renewable energy sources, contributing to the electrification and low-carbon transformation of terminal energy consumption. This is particularly relevant for urban buildings, where the demand for sustainable heating and cooling solutions is growing.
“The correlations we’ve established between optimum high pressure and other cycle parameters, considering the composite-heat-source matching ratio, offer practical insights for optimizing system design,” added Zhang. This work not only enhances the performance of CTHP systems but also supports the broader goal of promoting the transformation of energy structures towards more sustainable and efficient solutions.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the integration of renewable heat sources into trans-critical CO2 heat pump systems represents a promising avenue for achieving greater energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The research by Yuxiang Zhang and his team provides a solid foundation for future developments in this field, offering practical guidelines for engineers and researchers working on optimizing heat pump technologies.
In summary, this study highlights the importance of composite heat sources in enhancing the performance of trans-critical CO2 heat pump systems. By providing a deeper understanding of the interactions between different heat sources and system parameters, the research offers valuable insights for the energy sector, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient energy solutions.