1.4. Operating principle
The equipment is capable of producing domestic hot water mainly by using heat pump technology. A heat pump is
capable of transferring thermal energy from a low temperature source to another with a higher temperature and vice versa.
The equipment uses circuit consisting of a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and a throttle valve; a liquid/gas
coolant flows inside this circuit (see paragraph 4.6).
The compressor creates a difference in pressure inside the circuit that allows a thermodynamic cycle to be obtained:
this sucks the coolant fluid in through an evaporator, where the fluid itself evaporates at a low pressure by absorbing heat; it
is compressed and driven towards the condenser where the fluid condenses at a high pressure releasing the absorbed heat.
After the condenser, the fluid passes through the so-called "throttle valve" and by losing pressure and the temperature starts
to vaporize, it re-enters the evaporator and the cycle starts all over again.
The operating principle of the equipment is as follows
(Fig. 1):
I-II: The coolant fluid sucked in by the compressor, flows inside
the evaporator and while it evaporates, it absorbs the "ecological"
heat given by the air. At the same time, the ambient air is sucked
in by the equipment by a fan; the air loses its heat by passing
over the finned-tube battery of the evaporator;
II-III: The coolant gas passes inside the compressor and it
undergoes an increase in pressure that causes a rise in
temperature; transforming this into superheated steam;
III-IV: Inside the condenser, the coolant gas releases its heat to
the water inside the tank (boiler). This exchange process makes
it possible for the coolant to pass from superheated steam to a
liquid state by condensing at a constant pressure and undergoing
a reduction in temperature;
IV-I: The liquid coolant passes through the throttle valve. It
undergoes a sudden drop in both pressure and temperature and
it partially vaporizes bringing pressure and temperature back to
the initial conditions. The thermodynamic cycle can begin.
1.5. Available versions and configurations
The heat pump is available in two different versions, in relation to the thermal power (with or without additional heat
exchanger). Each version, in turn, can be set up in different configurations, depending on the possible integrations with other
heating sources (e.g. solar thermal, biomass power, etc.).
Version
HPWH 2.1 200/260 U02
HPWH 2.1 200/260 U02 S
2.
TRANSPORT AND HANDLING
Fig.1 – Operating principle ►
Configuration description
Air source heat pump for the production of domestic hot water
Air source heat pump for the production of domestic hot water suitable for use with the solar
power system or additional heating unit.
Not allowed!
5
Allowed!