Air-to-water heat pump assessment: Part 2 – Exergetic and exergoeconomic analyses

Abstract

This study is part 2 of the investigation on the exergetic and exergoeconomic parameters of an existing system with an air-to-water heat pump unit as a heat source. Part 1 presents the used experimental setup. The main aim of the conducted experimental tests is to develop models of produced heat rate and energetic COP at different ambient conditions. The obtained data is used in Part 2 of the study where the exergetinc and exergoeconomic assessment is carried out. The exergetic and exergoeconomic analysis was performed at dynamically changing ambient parameters. The considered operation modes of the air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) unit and backup heater (BUH) were evaluated based on Seasonal Exergetic Efficiency. For the exergoeconomic analysis, the SPECO method is used. Thus, this paper provides an exhaustive understanding of the exergy and exergoeconomic performance of the considered air-to-water heat pump system.