LESSON

HEAT PUMPS

LECTURE
SUB-OBJECTIVE
At the end of this Lesson the Trainee will be able to demonstrate an
understanding of heat pumps and complete Air Conditioning Systems.
1.0

INTRODUCTION
All refrigerating systems are heat pumps. They move heat from one place to
another. The refrigerating unit picks up heat at a low temperature and releases
it at high temperature.
"Climate-control" is the term often used to describe a space in which an ideal
climate is maintained. This is accomplished by controlling the movement,
temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of the air.
This controlled climate can be maintained for the benefit of people, structures,
furnishings, animals, vegetation, or food.

2.0

HEAT PUMP
Heat pump theory rests on the principle that heat will move from a higher
temperature to a lower temperature. Thus, if a heat transfer coil can be kept at
a lower temperature than its surroundings, it will pick up heat.
If the evaporator of a refrigerating system is mounted outdoors and is operated
at a refrigerant temperature of -18C (0 F), it will remove heat from the air even
when the outside temperature is -12 to -9C (10 to 15F). If, after it has
evaporated, the refrigerant is compressed to a temperature of 49 to 60C (120
to 140F), the hot refrigerant will release heat to surrounding space (inside a
building).
Then, if, by using a system of valves, the evaporator is changed into the
condenser and the condenser becomes the evaporator, heat can be removed
from the living zone during hot weather and discharged outdoors. Fig. 10-4-1
shows the pressure-heat diagram for a heat pump.
From the foregoing, one can see that evaporators and condensers are heat
transfer devices, which can be used for cooling (picking up heat) or heating
(releasing heat).

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The heat pump is sometimes called a reverse-cycle mechanism. However, the

cycle is not actually reversed, only the evaporator and condenser are
interchanged. Therefore, the name "reverse-cycle" is not technically correct.
The heat pump may be used for many purposes. Heating water and heat
recovery from industrial processes are but two. Even the defrosting of
evaporators, using the hot gas defrosting method, is a form of heat pump.
Both the compression system and the absorption system can be adapted as
heat pumps.

Fig. 10-4-1. Typical heat pump cycle used for heating.

2.1

HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS

Use of heat pumps for residential heating and cooling is increasing. Hermetic
units have been developed in many designs and in a wide range of sizes.
The hermetic system is ideal for heat pump installations, as it is so simple to
install. Some are equipped with service valves, suction and discharge mufflers
and other special features, which make for quiet, reliable operation and long
life.
The coil mounted inside the house is usually a standard finned type a blower.
The outside coil comes in a variety of designs. Choice depends n the medium
(substance in which the coil is placed - air, water or earth.
The "outside" coil is not always located outside the structure.
located inside but ducted to the outside if it is an air coil.

3.0

It may be

HEAT PUMP REVERSING VALVES

Several different types of special reversing valves are used in heat pumps. If
refrigerant flow is manually reversed, at least six one-way valves are needed.
The special reversing valves may be operated automatically, manual or
electrically (through solenoids).

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Some units use three-way valves either manually or electrically operated.

These valves have one opening to the compressor, one to the condenser, and
one to the evaporator. Two of these valves are needed to operate the unit.
Other units use a four-way valve to reverse the flow of refrigerant. The
movement of one valve stem operates the valve. This stem closes and opens
several ports in one valve body. Its operation may be manual or electrical.
The complete system is easily reversed with one of these valves. They are
popular in small tonnage conditioners such as window units and other air-to-air
systems.
The heat pump has a thermostatic expansion valve and a check valve on each
coil. When the system is reversed the refrigerant flow bypasses the
thermostatic expansion valve of the coil serving as the condenser.
During the cooling cycle, the upper thermostatic expansion valve is used. The
refrigerant cannot travel through the companion check valve.
Another popular reversing control is the solenoid pilot operated sliding port
valve. A solenoid valve controls it. The solenoid coil is energized on the
heating cycle. The pilot slide pivots and changes the flow of pressure.
Pressure moves the main slide. In the cooling cycle the solenoid is not
energized. The system is on a cooling cycle. When valved for a heating cycle,
the system is set up as in Fig. 10-4-2 and 10-4-3.

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Fig. 10-4-2. Capillary tube refrigerant control heat pump using solenoid valve
controlled four-way valve. Indoor coil is serving as an evaporator.

4.0

Fig. 10-4-3. Capillary tube type heat pump using indoor coil as condenser.
HEAT PUMP CONDENSER AND EVAPORATOR COILS
The coil mounted inside the structure is normally a standard finned coil with a
blower.
The outside coil is available in several designs. The type used is determined
by the substance (water, stone, etc) into which the coil releases its heat or from
which it picks up its heat coils, classified by the type of external heat source
used to obtain the heat of evaporation, are:
1. Air coil. 2.Water coil. 3.Ground coil.

5.0

HEAT PUMP AIR-TO-AIR

Used in homes and in some industries, the "heat pump" is a heat-moving
mechanism. Heat is absorbed in an evaporator in one location and released
through a condenser in another location. The system can reverse its operation
so that the evaporator becomes the condenser and the condenser becomes
the evaporator. Heat flow is reversed. Thus, using a special reversing valve,
the mechanism either heats or cools the conditioned space. The flow through
the compressor is always in the same direction.
Fig. 10-4-4 shows the flow through the valve causing the conditioned space to
be heated. Fig. 10-4-5 shows the valve in position to cool the conditioned
space.
Heat pumps use a compression type refrigerating mechanism, similar to a
regular refrigerating mechanism. They have two heat transfer surfaces - one
located inside the conditioned space and the other out-of-doors.

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On the heating cycle, Fig. 10-4-4, the outdoor coil becomes an evaporator
while the indoor coil becomes the condenser. In operation, liquid refrigerant
enters the outdoor coil, picks up heat from out-of-doors and is vaporized. The
vapor is drawn into the compressor, is compressed to a high temperature and
is pumped into the indoor coil. Since its temperature is higher than the indoor
temperature, heat will be released into the room.
Compressed refrigerant vapors will condense upon giving up their heat of
vaporization and will return to a liquid state. The liquid then flows back through
the capillary tube into the evaporator, and the cycle is repeated. Since the
outdoor coil is colder than the outdoor surrounding air, ice may form on it if the
outdoor temperature is rather low. Therefore, outdoor coils are fitted with deice controls. These controls are either electric heating units turned on
automatically if ice forms; or the compressors stops, allowing the evaporator
surface to warm up to melt the ice.
On the cooling cycle, Fig. 10-4-5, the reversing valve causes the coil in the
conditioned space to become an evaporator. Refrigerant flows through the
capillary tube into the evaporator and the liquid refrigerant boils absorbing
heat. Vapor from the boiling refrigerant is drawn into the compressor where it is
compressed and the heated vapor is pumped into the outdoor coil, which has
become a condenser.
Since the air surrounding the outdoor coil is cooler than the compressed vapor
in the coil, the compressed refrigerant vapor gives up its heat to the outside air.
It condenses and flows to the bottom of the condenser as liquid refrigerant.
From here it flows through the capillary tube into the bottom of the evaporator.
From this point the cycle is repeated. Motor driven fans on both coils aid head
flow from coil surfaces.
Heat pump installations are ideal for locations where the heat load in winter is
almost the same as the cooling load in summer. Air-to-air installations are
most satisfactory when the ambient air temperature in the winter remains
above - or only occasionally below - the freezing temperature.

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LESSON 4 PAGE 5

Fig. 10-4-4. Air-to-air heat pump illustrating heating cycle.

Reversing valve is set so that coil on outside is acting as an evaporator. heat
absorbed in evaporator is released by condenser inside house.

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Fig. 10-4-5. An air-to-air heat pump during cooling cycle.

Valve is set so that coil on inside is acting as an evaporator. Heat absorbed in
evaporator is released by condenser outside house.

6.0

HEAT PUMP - WITH ELECTRIC HEATERS

Air-to-air heat pump installations operate efficiently when outside air
temperature is above freezing. However, when the outside temperature drops
down to or below freezing, efficient drops off rapidly.
To make up for this loss of efficiency, the indoor section is often fitted with
electric resistance heating units. When the thermostat calls for more heat than
the heat pump is able to deliver, the electric heating elements will turn on.
Heat pump operation of the heating and cooling cycle is the same as
explained. Fig. 10-4-6 is a heat pump cycle diagram. Note the resistance
heating units.

Fig. 10-4-6. An air-to-air heat pump with electric resistance heating elements.
The heating cycle is on in this diagram. Electric heaters provide additional heat
if needed.

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