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Topic 5: Heat Pump/Heat Recovery

 

Building Electrification by Recovering Condenser Heat

Replacing gas heating with efficient electric heat pumps (HP) or heat recovery (HR) systems is increasing in Southeast Asia for various heating needs.

This is due to:

  • Cleaner electricity as power generation decarbonizes.

  • Electric HP/HR systems are more efficient (higher Coefficient of Performance or COP) than fossil fuels, reducing emissions.

     

    (Electric heater COP ~1, boiler COP ~0.8).

     

Electrification by Recovering Chiller Condenser Heat

In hot, humid regions, cooling is year-round, often with simultaneous cooling/heating, and cooling loads are typically larger.

  • Water-cooled HR/HR chiller offers best efficiency. Heat is recovered from the condenser (via a heat exchanger or tube) and excess heat is released via a cooling tower.    

  • Air-cooled chillers are also applicable. Heat can be recovered from coil de-superheat, condensation, and subcooling sections, using outside air as the heat source.    

  • Chiller HR/HP heating COP is about 2.7-4.1 (at 55°C hot water), higher than electric heaters. Hot water temperatures range from 30°C to 90°C.    

Cool and Reheat (Humidity Control)

Reheat and recovery system can be integrated to application with,

  • Simultaneous cooling and heating/reheating needs.    

     

  • High temperature and low humidity requirement.    

     

  • High air flow rate needs (e.g., operating/clean rooms).    

     
  • Air-cooled or Water-cooled chillers, for both Heat Pump and Heat Recovery  (HP/HR)
 

Building Electrification by Reclaiming Condenser Heat

Building electrification is the key to decarbonization. There’s a shift from boilers to HR/HP equipment/chillers for projects with major heating needs (e.g., hotels, hospitals, industry).  

In hot, humid regions, WC HP/HR is most efficient due to simultaneous cooling/heating needs, while AC HP/HR is an alternative choice.     

Recover condenser heat via,
  • WC/AC HP/HR Chillers

  • Proper hot water temperature design.

  • Optimized design.   

  • Suitable application/solution.    

  • Optimized control.    

More on Low Carbon Chiller Plant

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) heat recovery systems can include:

  • Unitary VRF HP/HR systems

  • AC HP/HR chillers (Air-Cooled Heat Pump/Heat Recovery Chillers)

  • WC HP/HR chillers (Water-Cooled Heat Pump/Heat Recovery Chillers)    

     

Heat can be taken from the cooling load of a chiller evaporator in WC HP/HR systems, outside air (AC HP/HR) or from sources like the sea, rivers, the ground, or exhaust air (WC HP/HR).    

More information

Witness Lower Carbon Chiller Plant in Application

It is important to use the correct AC/WC HP/HR chiller for the right applications in hot and humid climates. If there is a need for heating over long periods, it is important to choose a suitable HP/HR chiller based on the required hot water temperature, capacity, and installation needs.    

Typical applications in hot and humid regions include hotels and apartments needing domestic hot water (50-65°C) and swimming pool heating (35-45°C).

General Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC)