Development of ultra-high temperature hybrid heat pump for process application

Industrial scale heat pumps have until recently been limited to maximum temperatures of 75 - 80°C and thereby limiting the implementation of high temperature heat pumps. The hybrid heat pump combines the absorption and the compression process and uses water and ammonia as working pair. This makes it possible to reach temperatures of 110°C using the standard industrial refrigeration components of today. This can be done with very high efficiencies and the process has proven to be reliable reaching the theoretical values of COP. The aim of the project is to increase the operating limits of the hybrid process by using the new standard components for hihger pressures. The project will demonstrate that it is possible to develop an efficient and reliable heat pump process for high temperatures up to 180 - 250°C. Of the technologies for ultra-hig temperature heat pumps the hybrid process is without discussion the technology closest to the market. The project consists of A. Theoretical and practical investigation of the hybrid heat pump process for ultra-high temperatures; B. Investigation of possible implementation into the processes at the end users in the consortium and the conduction of a general market survey; C. Demonstration at an end user in the consortium.