Heat pumps are used to transfer from a cold reservoir to a hot reservoir. Let us discuss about different applications of a heat pump.
Heat pumps take the help of external work in order to transfer the heat from a low-temperature reservoir to high-temperature reservoir. Work is absorbed during this process because the heat cannot spontaneously go from low to high temperature.
The heat pumps are more efficient in terms of heating up a space than conventional furnaces that burn oils and fuels to generate heat. Let us discuss in this article about the different applications of a heat pump.
6 heat pump application
The heat pumps do not produce any work on their own but they absorb work for efficient working. Let us discuss about the different applications of heat pump.
- Space heating – In space heating the warm air is transferred to the space. This heat is first absorbed from the outside air which gets cooled after rejecting heat to the pump. This heat is then transferred in to the room for heating purposes.
- Water heating- Water can be heated by making the water flow through pipes where the water gets heated up. The water is heated by another fluid which is warm. The heat transfer takes place between the two fluids as per the desired rates.
- District heating- District heating can be achieved by heat pumps. District heating refers to distributing heat generated in a centralised location through a network of insulating pipes. This is similar to a heat exchangers where heat is exchanged between two fluids.
- Industrial heating – Nowadays a great demand of industrial heat pumps have come up because heat pumps are more energy saving and cost effective. Their efficiency is better than that of other conventional heating methods such as furnaces.
- Space cooling – Just like a space can be heating by adding heat, the space can be cooled by absorbing the heat too. A heat pump will absorb the heat from the space in order to cool it. The heat will be rejected to another reservoir that is at a higher temperature.
- Refrigeration– Heat pump is used in a refrigeration cycle to heat the external fluid flowing through the condenser. The heat transfer helps the refrigerator to cool the allotted space.
How is heat pump used?
As water does not go from a low potential to high potential region on its own, heat also does not go from low temperature to high temperature on its own. Let us discuss how is a heat pump used.
The heat pumps absorb the heat from air then this warm air is compressed to further increase the temperature of air so that it can be used in other applications. Heat pumps can also be used to cool the room by transferring warm air outside the room.
When is heat pump used?
Heat pumps do not produce any heat of their own. Let us discuss when is a heat pump used.
Heat pumps are used when a constant large amount of heating at a rapid pace is required. Furnaces are used when large amount of heat is required in short span of time. And heat pumps are used when less amount of heat is required for a very long time.
Why is heat pump used?
Heat pumps as the name suggest pump heat to the desired location using external work. Let us discuss why is heat pump used.
Heat pumps are used because they are the most convenient devices available that transfer heat continuously. The heat pumps are used for cooling as well as heating purposes. The heat is transferred according to the needs and applications.
Conclusion
In this article we have discussed about different applications of heat pump. We realised that heat pump can not only be used in heating but cooling as well. It transfers heat from one place to other leaving one side cooler than it was before and other warmer than it was before.
Hi ….I am Abhishek Khambhata, have pursued B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout four years of my engineering, I have designed and flown unmanned aerial vehicles. My forte is fluid mechanics and thermal engineering. My fourth-year project was based on the performance enhancement of unmanned aerial vehicles using solar technology. I would like to connect with like-minded people.
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