Abstract:
Working fluids for thermal heat pump cycles have been studied.
Methanol in conjunction with a mixture of inorganic bromides has been
identified as being suitable for transforming heat from temperatures
below zero centigrade.
A computer programme was written in order to calculate the
performance of such a combination, and its accuracy was verified by
comparing its predictions with the actual performance of existing
(commercial) heat pumps and chillers using combinations other than
the above.
Transport and other properties of the mixture have been
measured, including vapour pressure, specific heat, viscosity,
relative density, solubility, thermal conductivity, surface tension,
heat of absorption, absorption coefficient, and hence mass diffusivity.
An intermittent absorption heat pump was constructed and its
performance measured. The tests demonstrated that it was capable
of pumping heat from -10
°C up to 74 °C.
