Experimental Analysis of an Air Heat Pump for Heating Service Using a “Hardware-In-The-Loop” System

Paolo Conti, Carlo Bartoli, Alessandro Franco and Daniele Testi
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Paolo Conti: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Carlo Bartoli: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Alessandro Franco: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Daniele Testi: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Estimating and optimizing the dynamic performance of a heat pump system coupled to a building is a paramount yet complex task, especially under intermittent conditions. This paper presents the “hardware-in-the-loop” experimental campaign of an air-source heat pump serving a typical dwelling in Pisa (Italy). The experimental apparatus uses real pieces of equipment, together with a thermal load emulator controlled by a full energy dynamic simulation of the considered building. Real weather data are continuously collected and used to run the simulation. The experimental campaign was performed from November 2019 to February 2020, measuring the system performances under real climate and load dynamics. With a water set point equal to 40 °C, the average heat pump coefficient of performance was about 3, while the overall building-plant performance was around 2. The deviation between the two performance indexes can be ascribed to the continuous on-off signals given by the zone thermostat due to the oversized capacity of the heat emission system. The overall performance raised to 2.5 thanks to a smoother operation obtained with reduced supply temperature (35 °C) and fan coil speed. The paper demonstrates the relevance of a dynamic analysis of the building-HVAC system and the potential of the “hardware-in-the-loop” approach in assessing actual part-load heat pump performances with respect to the standard stationary methodology.

Keywords: hardware-in-the-loop; heat pumps; dynamic simulation; experimental performances; control strategy; partial loads; on-off cycles; building dynamics; building-heating system coupling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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