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Summary

Heat Activated Heat Pump/Chiller System

Hot Water and Chiller System: Ammonia Absorption Heat Pump vs. Separate Water Heating and Chilling Systems

Co-produces hot water and chilled water with high-input energy conversion efficiency. Steam, natural gas, propane or waste heat streams can be used as thermal input sources. Potential applications include food processing, dairies, breweries, restaurants, laundries, commercial kitchens, hospitals, apartment buildings, motels, gymnasiums, indoor swimming pools and other uses that have a significant hot water demand and use for chilled water.

Synopsis:

This technology is based on 150-year-old heat-activated ammonia absorption technology utilizing thermal energy input rather than rotating shaft mechanical energy to produce refrigeration or chilling and useable rejected heat.  These systems are intended for applications where a hot stream (usually water between 110 deg F and 160 deg F) and cool liquid stream (usually water at 35 deg F or glycol solution) are needed simultaneously.  With heat-activated absorption technology, the sum of the thermal energy removed from the cold stream and the thermal energy added to the heated stream is greater than the primary thermal energy supplied.  If the primary thermal energy is waste heat or low-cost thermal energy, the economics resulting from reducing electrical power demand with absorption technology can be very favorable compared to traditional direct thermal heating and vapor compression refrigeration technology. 

The amount of potential primary thermal energy and electrical energy reduction by utilizing absorption heat-activated technology depends on many site-specific variables, including the type of thermal source available, desired cooled stream temperature and desired heated stream temperature.  Demonstration systems have been installed in poultry and meat processing facilities.

This technology is suitable for food processing plants, dairies, breweries, restaurants, laundries, commercial kitchens, hospitals, apartment buildings, motels, gymnasiums, and indoor swimming pools.  Units are available that can provide up to 2.4 MMBtuh of chilling capacity.

Energy Savings: 77%
Energy Savings Rating: Limited Assessment  What's this?
LevelStatusDescription
1Concept not validatedClaims of energy savings may not be credible due to lack of documentation or validation by unbiased experts.
2Concept validated:An unbiased expert has validated efficiency concepts through technical review and calculations based on engineering principles.
3Limited assessmentAn unbiased expert has measured technology characteristics and factors of energy use through one or more tests in typical applications with a clear baseline.
4Extensive assessmentAdditional testing in relevant applications and environments has increased knowledge of performance across a broad range of products, applications, and system conditions.
5Comprehensive analysisResults of lab and field tests have been used to develop methods for reliable prediction of performance across the range of intended applications.
6Approved measureProtocols for technology application are established and approved.

Status:

Details

Heat Activated Heat Pump/Chiller System

Hot Water and Chiller System: Ammonia Absorption Heat Pump vs. Separate Water Heating and Chilling Systems

Co-produces hot water and chilled water with high-input energy conversion efficiency. Steam, natural gas, propane or waste heat streams can be used as thermal input sources. Potential applications include food processing, dairies, breweries, restaurants, laundries, commercial kitchens, hospitals, apartment buildings, motels, gymnasiums, indoor swimming pools and other uses that have a significant hot water demand and use for chilled water.
Item ID: 138
Sector: Industrial
Energy System: Multiple Energy Systems--Combined Space Conditioning and Water Heating

Synopsis:

This technology is based on 150-year-old heat-activated ammonia absorption technology utilizing thermal energy input rather than rotating shaft mechanical energy to produce refrigeration or chilling and useable rejected heat.  These systems are intended for applications where a hot stream (usually water between 110 deg F and 160 deg F) and cool liquid stream (usually water at 35 deg F or glycol solution) are needed simultaneously.  With heat-activated absorption technology, the sum of the thermal energy removed from the cold stream and the thermal energy added to the heated stream is greater than the primary thermal energy supplied.  If the primary thermal energy is waste heat or low-cost thermal energy, the economics resulting from reducing electrical power demand with absorption technology can be very favorable compared to traditional direct thermal heating and vapor compression refrigeration technology. 

The amount of potential primary thermal energy and electrical energy reduction by utilizing absorption heat-activated technology depends on many site-specific variables, including the type of thermal source available, desired cooled stream temperature and desired heated stream temperature.  Demonstration systems have been installed in poultry and meat processing facilities.

This technology is suitable for food processing plants, dairies, breweries, restaurants, laundries, commercial kitchens, hospitals, apartment buildings, motels, gymnasiums, and indoor swimming pools.  Units are available that can provide up to 2.4 MMBtuh of chilling capacity.

Baseline Example:

Baseline Description: Conventional Hot Water and Chilling System
Baseline Energy Use: 192720 kWh per year per unit

Comments:

This baseline is based on a  natural gas-fired boiler or condensing hot water heater in a food processing plant that supplys 1 million Btuh of hot water and a 25-ton chiller with a COP of 4.0. On the cooling side, 25-tons of cooling is 300,000 Btuh output.  A conventional chiller with a COP of 4 would have an input of 75,000 Btuh/3413 = 22 kW.  This system would have an annual electrical consumption of 22 kW x 24 hrs/day x 365 days/year = 192,720 kWh/year. 

A thermosorber, with a COP of 0.5, would require an input of 600,000 Btuh  of natural gas to meet cooling loads.  Assuming a hot water heater efficiency of 98%, total natural gas use is 1,020,400 Btuh.  An additional 5 kW is needed to run the pumping system for the thermosorber.  This is the total electrical input for the thermosorber. Operating 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, requires an annual electrical energy use of 43,800 kWh/year. The output of hot water would be 600,000 Btuh + 0.6 x 600,000 = 960,000 Btuh. 

Electrical annual energy savings are (192,720-43,800)/192,720) x100% = 77.3%  Natural gas savings would also occur. These estimates were derived from input from:
Energy Concepts (http://energy-concepts.com/_pages/success_stories.htm, Mr. Anand, 410-266-6521,
www.energy-concepts.com) and a PIER study (http://www.esource.com//system/files/files/2007-11/CEC-TB-28_ThermoSorber.pdf)

Manufacturer's Energy Savings Claims: Currently no data available.
Best Estimate of Energy Savings:

"Typical" Savings: 77%
Low and High Energy Savings: 60% to 80%
Energy Savings Reliability: 3 - Limited Assessment

Comments:

Energy Use of Emerging Technology:
44,325.6 kWh per unit per year What's this?

Energy Use of an Emerging Technology is based upon the following algorithm.

Baseline Energy Use - (Baseline Energy Use * Best Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings.))

Technical Potential:
Units: unit
Currently no data available.
First Cost: Currently no data available.

Cost Effectiveness:

Simple payback, new construction (years): N/A

Simple payback, retrofit (years): N/A

What's this?

Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.

Reference and Citations:

Donald Erickson, 06/14/2005. Gas Fired Heat Pump for Heating and Refrigeration in Food and Beverage Industry: FINAL REPORT
Public Interest Energy Research

PIER, 05/11/2011. Thermally Driven Heat Pump Runs Hot and Cold for Food and Beverage Industries
Public Interest Energy Research

Heschong Mahone Group, 02/19/2008. Field Study of a ThermoSorber System
Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Donald Erickson, 08/26/2009. One Hundred Ton Absorption Chiller/Heat Pump Demonstrates the Real Cost of Saving Energy
Energy Concepts Company

Rank & Scores

Heat Activated Heat Pump/Chiller System

There is no TAG available for this technology.
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