A heat pump is basically a heat engine that runs in the reverse direction. In other words, a heat pump is a device that is used to transfer heat energy to a thermal reservoir. They are often used to transfer thermal energy by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer one.
Heat pumps transfer heat from a cold body to a hot body at the expense of mechanical energy supplied to it by an external agent. The cold body is cooled more and more. A heat pump generally comprises four key components, which include a condenser, a compressor, an expansion valve and an evaporator. The working substance used in these components is called a refrigerant.
Types of Heat Pumps
Some of the most popular examples of a heat pump include air conditioners, freezers or other heating as well as ventilating devices.
Geothermal (ground-source) Heat Pump
A geothermal heat pump, also called a ground-source heat pump, is used to carry the heat exchange fluid (water with a little antifreeze) from the soil or from groundwater. This heat pump can be used to cool buildings by transferring heat from the hot areas into the soil via the ground loop or piping placed within the ground. But geothermal heat pumps are quite expensive to install.
Water Source Heat Pump
The working mechanism of a water-source heat pump is quite similar to a ground-source heat pump. However, in this case, the heat is replenished from a body of water instead of the ground. The major requirement here is that the body of water has to be very big so as to be able to withstand the cooling effect of the unit, and it should not freeze or create some adverse effects.
Air Source Heat Pump
Air source heat pumps basically move heat between two heat exchangers. Usually, one of these heat exchangers is placed on the outside of a building, wherein fins are also attached, which allows the air to be forced in with the help of a fan. The other is used to directly heat the air or water inside the building, which is then circulated around with the help of heat emitters that basically releases the heat around the building.
Exhaust Air Heat Pump
Exhaust air heat pumps are used to extract heat from the exhaust air of a building. However, they require mechanical ventilation. Two classes of exhaust air heat pumps exist, and they are as follows:
- Exhaust air-air heat pumps – They are used to transfer heat to intake air.
- Exhaust air-water heat pumps – They are used to transfer heat to a heating circuit which consists of a tank of domestic hot water.
Solar-assisted Heat Pump
In this type of heat pump, there is an integration of two systems. One is the heat pump, and there are thermal solar panels that are found in a single integrated system. Here, the solar thermal panel acts as the low-temperature heat source. Meanwhile, the heat that is produced is fed to the heat pump’s evaporator.
Absorption Heat Pumps
This is a relatively new type of heat pump that is mainly for residential systems. An absorption heat pump is also called a gas-fired heat pump, and uses heat as its primary source of energy. They can be used with a wide variety of heat sources.
Related Terms
Thermal reservoir: A thermal reservoir is a huge body having a great heat capacity in such a way that a finite quantity of heat can be added to it (or) removed from it without changing its temperature.
Heat source (or) hot reservoir: It is a thermal reservoir used in a heat engine for supplying heat at high temperatures.
Heat sink: This is a thermal reservoir used in a heat engine for receiving the remaining heat at low temperatures.
Heat engine: It is a cyclically operating energy conversion device. A heat engine‘s main objective is converting heat into work. Source supplies an amount of heat Q1 to the working body, which converts some of it into work ‘W’, and the remaining heat Q2 is rejected to the sink.
(Surroundings)
Generally, the surrounding atmosphere acts as a sink for a heat engine.
Work done: W = Q1 – Q2
Thermal efficiency:
Working of a Heat Pump
A heat pump is a cyclically operating energy-consuming device. Its main objective is to heat a body with the help of external work; heat is removed from the low temp body and is added to the high-temperature body. Generally, the surrounding atmosphere acts as a high-temperature body for the heat pump.
When we use a heat pump in heating mode, it follows the basic refrigeration-type cycle used by a refrigerator or an air conditioner. The only condition is that it occurs in the opposite direction. Heat is released into the conditioned space rather than the surrounding environment. In such a case, heat pumps generally draw heat from the cooler external air or the ground.
Note: When both the heat pump and the refrigerator are running between the same temperatures, the cop of a heat pump is always > cop off refrigeration.
If the heat engine and the refrigerator are running between the same temperatures, the relation between the thermal efficiency η and the cop is given by,
During the heating mode, the evaporator is the outdoor coil, while the condenser is the indoor one. The refrigerant carries the thermal energy from the outside to the indoors. The vapour temperature is compressed within the pump. The indoor coil then moves the thermal energy to the indoor air.
In cooling mode, the cycle is almost the same, except in this case, the outdoor coil is used as the condenser and the indoor coil acts as the evaporator.
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is a cyclically operating energy-consuming device. Its main objective is to refrigerate a body with the help of external work. Heat is removed from the low-temperature body and is rejected to the high-temperature body. Generally, the surrounding atmosphere acts as the high-temperature body for a refrigerator.
Coefficient of Performance:
In the case of Carnot’s engine refrigerator,
Law of Thermodynamics
There are several statements given for the 2nd law of thermodynamics, but the essence of all these statements is as follows:
(i) No spontaneous process will take place in the reverse direction on its own.
Kelvin-Planck Statement of 2nd Law
It is impossible for any cyclically operating device (Heat engine) to convert all the heat received from a single thermal reservoir into work. That means, out of the heat supplied, only some amount is converted into work, and the remaining heat should be rejected to 2nd thermal reservoir.
Therefore, according to this statement, the presence of a 2nd thermal reservoir is necessary for the running of a heat engine. So, the work output is always < energy input (i.e., W < Q1).
Clausius Statement of 2nd Law
It is impossible for any cyclically operating device (refrigerator (or) heat pump) to transfer heat from a low-temperature body to a high-temperature body without the help of an external agency.
That means if you want to transfer heat from a low-temperature body to a high-temperature body, it is possible only with the help of external work. As always, external work is required as input. The cop of the refrigerator (or) heat pump cannot be equal to ∞.
Transfer of heat from a hot body to a cold body is a spontaneous process. According to Clausius’ statement, this spontaneous process will not take place in the reverse direction on its own.
Violation of Clausius Statement
The refrigerator removes an amount of heat ‘Q2’ from the cold reservoir at temperature ‘T2’ and rejects heat to the hot reservoir on its own. Thus, it violates the Clausius statement.
Meanwhile, a heat engine running between the same reservoirs receives an amount of heat Q1 from the hot reservoir and rejects an amount of Q2 to the cold reservoir. This heat engine is not violating any statement of the 2nd law.
If both the devices have the same ‘T’ per cycle, then the combination of them, i.e., the composite engine, clearly violates Kelvin Planck’s statement of the 2nd law. When the heat engine converts all the heat ‘Q1’ into work ‘W’, it also violates the statement.
Alternatively, the work output of the heat engine is driving a Carnot refrigerator, as shown in the figure. The Carnot refrigerator is removing an amount of heat ‘Q2’ from the cold at temp ‘T2’ and rejecting the hot reservoir, ‘T1’, thus not violating and statement of the 2nd law.
Both the devices have the same time period per cycle; the combination of the engines, i.e., composite engine violating the Clausius statement of the 2nd law. When the Kelvin-Planck statement is violated, the Clausius statement is also violated and vice-versa. Both statements are considered to be equivalent.
How to Find the Coefficient of Performance of a Heat Pump
When we talk about heat pump efficiencies, we basically have to deal with a few key terms, such as,
- Coefficient of performance (COP)
- Seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP)
- Seasonal performance factor (SPF)
The performance of the heat pump is expressed by the coefficient of performance (K).
K = Heat extracted from the cold body/work needed to transfer it to the hot body
K = Heat extracted by work done
K = QL / W
From 1st law of thermodynamics for the cyclic process, ΔU = 0
ΔQ = ΔW
W = QH – QL
K = QL / QH – QL
Note: If a heat pump has a higher number, then it will be more efficient, and it will consume less energy. It is cost-effective to operate. However, factors such as auxiliary equipment, size, control system, and technology affect the efficiency of a heat pump.
Additionally, conditions such as temperature and humidity also need to be considered. Efficiency decreases if the temperature difference increases or when freezing takes place.
Applications of Heat Pump
As for the applications, heat pumps are used either for heating or cooling.
- Heat pumps are used in the heating and cooling of buildings and vehicles.
- It is used in heating water. A heat pump is typically used in heating or preheating water in swimming pools or potable water for use in homes.
- A heat pump is used as a heat supplier for district heating.
- Heat pumps are used to reduce energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions in a lot of industries.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Heat Pump
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Running costs are usually low | It has a high upfront cost |
| Less maintenance is required | Installation is quite difficult |
| Provides efficient cooling | Issues may arise in cold temperatures |
| It has high safety ratings | Sustainability is questionable though |
| It is said to reduce carbon emissions | It is not entirely carbon neutral |
| It has a long life-span or working potential | It requires a significant amount of work in setting up the system |
Frequently Asked Questions on Heat Pump
What is a heat engine?
A heat engine is a device which converts heat energy into mechanical energy. For example, steam engines, petrol engines, diesel engines, etc.
What is a heat pump?
The process of removing heat from bodies colder than their surroundings is called refrigeration, and the device doing this process is called a refrigerator or a heat pump.
Name two commonly used refrigerants.
Ammonia
Freon
What is a refrigerant?
The working substance used in a refrigerator is called a refrigerant.
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