System description
4
Principle of heat pump
A heat pump can exploit the energy contained in natural heat sources. Or, to put it differently, the heat
pump ”collects” heat energy from the heat source. This makes the heat pump a very environmentally friendly and
economically sound alternative for space heating.
a.
b
The Outdoor unit is used as the heat pump’s evaporator. Here the heat energy of the Outdoor Unit causes
the refrigerant, circulating through the evaporator, to boil and turn into a gas – it evaporates.
c
The refrigerant, having absorbed heat energy, is circulated to the compressor where pressure and temperature
are raised.
d
The refrigerant continues to the condenser. When condensing, it releases heat energy to the heat carrier,
circulating through the condenser. The temperature of the refrigerant sinks, and it returns to its liquid state.
e
The heat energy released is carried by the heating circuit to water heater and radiator or floor heating systems.
At last the refrigerant is led through the expansion valve, where its pressure is reduced, and then continues to
the evaporator
.
The process is restarted.
The heat pump has
two
separate
liquid
circuits
Refrigerant circui
t
– circulating inside the heat pump. Through evaporation, compression and condensation it
absorbs energy from the outdoor unit and releases it to the heat carrier. The refrigerant is chlorine-free.
Heating circuit
– water transporting heat energy to the heating system (radiators/floor coils) and the water
heater.
Expantion valve/
pressure drop
Refrigerant
Condenser
Compressor/
pressure increase
Evaporator
Heating Circuit
Refrigerant Circuit
Fan
