Experimental Evaluation of a Heat Pump-Latent Storage System for Increasing Renewable Share of the Residential Stock
Description
In the present work, the integration of a three-fluids heat exchanger in the evaporator of a reversible heat pump
is evaluated. The heat exchanger includes internally finned passages for the refrigerant of the heat pump cycle
and for the heat transfer fluid (water/glycol mixture) and externally finned passages for Phase Change Material
(PCM). The selected PCM is a commercial paraffin (RT4) with nominal melting point of 4 °C. The operation
of the integrated heat pump with latent storage under typical cooling season conditions in Mediterranean warm
climates were evaluated through an experimental campaign at CNR. The effect of operating modes and
operational conditions was identified. During charge, the variable speed of the compressor was found to yield
the maximum effect on storage dynamics, whereas during discharge the prevalent effect is that of the heat
transfer fluid flow rate. Based on the outcomes of measurement, a critical design review and control strategy
improvement were carried out.