Proposal and preliminary experimental investigation on a novel efficient integrated system of combined refrigeration, heating, and hot water supply

Poly-generation systems with high integration can meet various needs of users. Therefore, design and efficient operation have always been the focus of attention. In this paper, a novel multi-functional system with R410A as the working fluid is proposed. Cooling, heat, and hot water can be provided under five kinds of operation modes. The most prominent advantages of the system lie in the high integration of multiple functions and high effectiveness in the combined cooling/hot water mode. The feasibility of system integration and mode switching is firstly analyzed and validated. The variation regulations of determining variables and performance indicator, including compressor inlet and outlet pressure, valve opening, and coefficient of performance, are revealed based on the self-built experiment rig. Research results exhibit that, an increase in the water tank temperature can promote the compressor outlet pressure. The average difference of inlet pressure between water tank temperatures of 50 degrees C and 40 degrees C is 30 kPa, while that of outlet pressure is 611 kPa. The larger the charge amount, the smaller the valve opening. Besides, under typical operating conditions, the total COP of the combined refrigeration/hot water mode can reach up to 8.25, and it is 51% more efficient than that of the hot water mode.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a novel multi-functional poly-generation system with high integration and efficiency. It can provide cooling, heating, and hot water services under different operation modes, and exhibits high effectiveness in the combined cooling/hot water mode.