Trends and Recent R&D Activities on Fuel Driven Sorption Heat Pumps

Over the last 4 years, the IEA-HPP Annex 43 has worked on Sorption Gas Heat Pumps (GHP). GHP have been identified as an efficient solution for space heating and sanitary hot water preparation. There was advance on several ongoing developments both for ad- and absorption technology. A water-ammonia absorption GHP based on plate heat exchangers (PHE) is under development and shows promising results both in terms of compactness and efficiency. An absorption GHP for the residential market is being developed. Another participant is working on the development of an adsorption gas heat pump with active carbon and ammonia as working fluid, using a promising new adsorber design. The development of a zeolite-water based GHP is pursued with a consortium of industry and research partners. The open source SorpPropLib materials database allows evaluation of materials for sorption heat pumps in SorpSim or other platforms. A common view on market requirements and potential was found for different markets.