Research and testing of working fluids suitable for an absorption heat pump to heat buildings

Having outlined the requirements of the heat pump, water and sodium hydroxide are selected as a suitable working fluid and absorbent. The advantages and disadvantages of this particular combination are outlined before dealing with the experimental work. The various components in the system are then discussed with particular attention to the absorber. From the results, suitable improvements to the design are suggested before describing possible alternative absorption systems. The technical details are all presented separately from the main text, in the Appendices.