CC BY-NC-ND 4.0Sánchez-Moreno-Giner, LuisLuisSánchez-Moreno-GinerMethler, TimoTimoMethlerBarceló-Ruescas, FranciscoFranciscoBarceló-RuescasGonzalvez-Maciá, JoséJoséGonzalvez-Maciá2023-08-072023-08-072023Note-ID: 000097BAhttps://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/447638https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-172310.1016/j.ijrefrig.2022.10.01310.24406/publica-1723This paper presents experimental results from a brine-to-water heat pump used for space heating at low temperature, with a low refrigerant charge of R290 (propane). Performance and refrigerant distribution were analysed in every test condition studied. Performance results show a declared heating capacity of , obtaining a specific capacity (Cc) of 48.7 kW rmkg-1 and a seasonal coefficient of performance of 4.01. In terms of refrigerant distribution, at the nominal point, 41.5% of the refrigerant is located in the compressor, mainly dissolved in the oil, and the rest is separated almost evenly in both heat exchangers, 23.9% in the condenser and 27.8% in the evaporator; having the lines and accessories (pneumatic-ball valves) the remaining 6.8%. Due to this fact, reducing oil solubility by heating the crankcase or increasing the superheat (SH) has a positive impact on the refrigerant charge reduction, but it also affects the coefficient of performance.enbrine-to-water heat pumplow refrigerant chargeR290refrigerant distributionjournal article