Performance characterization and feasibility analysis of natural gas heat pumps for canadian weather conditions: experimental and numerical investigations

相对于电热泵，气体热泵在成本上正变得具有竞争力，并在许多国家被接受为空间和水加热以及空间冷却的可行替代方案。GHPs有两种类型，燃气发动机热泵（GEHP）和气体吸收式热泵（GAHP）。GHPs类似于空气源热泵（ASHPs），除了在GEHP和GAHP中分别使用天然气发动机和锅炉，而不是电动机驱动的压缩机。通常，GHPs比其他建筑采暖/制冷选项具有更好的一次能源转换效率。但是，它们真正的技术-经济潜力无法确定，因为加拿大没有全球热泵的长期执行情况数据。本项目旨在填补这一知识空白。联合天然气和安桥认识到GHP在加拿大的潜在利用潜力，并计划与冯博士合作，调查与GHP开发和实施相关的性能和集成问题。本研究涉及对加拿大GHP验收的适用性、性能可靠性和约束条件的研究。这些目标将通过实验研究和计算机模拟来实现。将在三个试验点收集现场性能数据，以建立系统的加热/冷却性能曲线、能源强度、一次能源转换效率、温室气体排放和循环特性。将开发和验证模拟模型，然后用于评估特定地点的效益。可行性、敏感性和可靠性分析将被执行，因为它们对于证明GHPs在加拿大建筑物中的相关性同样重要。该项目将为加拿大GHPs的采用和利用提供更深入的见解，以促进研究合作伙伴制定长期商业战略。传统热泵市场正在增长，而全球热泵的采用将进一步加速这一进程。这项研究促进了这一主题的高级学习，建立了一支高技能人才队伍，并利用现有的基础设施和专业知识，为瑞尔森未来的研究和培训创建了一个新的设施。

Gas heat pumps (GHPs) are becoming cost competitive relative to electric heat pumps, and are being accepted in many countries as a viable alternative for space and water heating as well as for space cooling. GHPs are of two types, Gas Engine Heat Pump (GEHP) and Gas Absorption Heat Pump (GAHP). GHPs are similar to air source heat pumps (ASHPs), except that a natural gas-fired engine and boiler are used in GEHP and GAHP, respectively, rather than an electric motor driven compressor. Usually, GHPs have better primary energy conversion efficiency than other building heating/cooling options. However their true techno-economic potentials could not be ascertain since no long-term performance data of GHPs is available in Canada. This project is intended to fill this knowledge gap. Union Gas and Enbridge recognize the potential utilization of GHPs in Canada and have planned this collaboration with Dr. Fung to investigate the performance and integration issues related to GHP development and implementation. This research involves study on the suitability, performance reliability, and constraints in GHP acceptance in Canada. The objectives will be achieved through experimental studies and computer simulations. Field performance data will be collected at three experimental sites to establish heating/cooling performance curves, energy intensity, primary energy conversion efficiency, GHG emissions, and cyclic characteristics of the systems. Simulation models will be developed and validated and then used for evaluation of site-specific benefits. Feasibility, sensitivity, and reliability analysis will be carried out since they are equally significant to demonstrate the relevance of GHPs in Canadian buildings. The project will provide deeper insight into the adoption and utilization of GHPs in Canada to facilitate the development of long-term business strategies of research partners. Conventional heat pump market is growing and the acceptance of GHPs will further accelerate this process. This research promotes advanced learning on this subject and builds a team of highly skilled personnel, and exploits the existing infrastructure and expertise to create a new facility for future research and training at Ryerson.