TO-2720 -- Experimental Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of a Heat Pump

Since the cost of energy keeps increasing, the need for high-efficiency airconditioners is widely recognized, and many researchers have investigated waysto improve a heat pump under continuous operation. The reduction of the EnergyEfficiency Ratio (EER) during on-off operation, however, was thought to beinevitable, and new capacity control systems have been proposed. Thesesystems are really effective, but they often involve high costs, so researchwas begun into the possibility of improving the dynamic characteristics of aheat pump under unsteady conditions.

Taking into consideration variations in the refrigerant distribution, this paper proposesguidelines for designs and discusses four alternative control systems forincreasing efficiency.

Results of this investigation may also contribute to better designs forprotection of the compressor from breakdowns due to liquid slugging, etc.