The applicability of nebulizing solar heated water for conditioning evaporator inlet air in solar-assisted air source heat pump

Abstract

Air-source heat pumps are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and easily applicable heating systems. The ability to support these systems with renewable and clean solar energy in the simplest way possible will contribute to the widespread adoption of solar-assisted heat pumps and ultimately facilitate the transition to more environmentally friendly and sustainable heating systems. In this study, the extent to which the air temperature and relative humidity change when the evaporator inlet air of an air-source heat pump is mixed with nebulized solar heated water was investigated. The potential benefits or harms of varying the properties of the evaporator inlet air for the system were determined. Even though the evaporating water droplets are 43°C hotter than the air, they lead to a decrease in the air temperature within the airflow. It was found that the increase in relative humidity resulting in an increase in COP does not compensate for the decrease in COP caused by the temperature drop, resulting in a predicted performance loss for the system.