Development of heat pumps for residential and industrial applications

• Grant number: 04/02893-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2005
• End date: June 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Rural Energization
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Aparecido Jordan
• Grantee: Rodrigo Aparecido Jordan
• Company: Thomson Tecnologia em Energia Térmica e Bombas de Calor Ltda
• City: Campinas

Abstract

The present proposal is aimed at the development of heat pumps for residential and industrial application, as well as hotels and agroindustry. Heat pumps are very efficient for use in heating air and water, being able to produce a thermic effect three to five times greater than the electrical energy used to generate it. With an electric resistor, a commonly used device in Brazil, it would be difficult to achieve a greater thermic effect. On the other hand, a refrigerator can also work as a heat pump. Thus, in the case of applications in the home or in hotels, the heat pump can, simultaneously, air-condition the rooms and heat water for baths, for use in the kitchen and in the swimming pool. In this way, existing refrigerating units can be adapted at relatively low cost to operate as heat pumps. In the first phase of this project, tests will be carried out on a water-water prototype, developed by researchers from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) for use in agroindustry. Given the characteristics of its construction, it could even be used in other applications. A prototype low cost heat pump for residences will also be assembled so as to carry out tests. (AU)