Potential low-GWP high-efficiency air conditioning and heat pump cycles for buildings based on intelligent GraPHsep method

Mengdi Cui, Zhigang Wang, Zhanwen Zhao, Xianguo Jiang and Baolong Wang

Energy, 2025, vol. 333, issue C

Abstract: The building sector accounts for 28 % of global energy consumption, with more than two-thirds of household energy is used for space heating, cooling, and hot water. The development of highly efficient air conditioning and heat pump systems using refrigerants with low global warming potential is imperative. However, conventional research methodologies, such as cycle structure enhancement based on expert experience and performance investigation of the predefined systems charging different refrigerants, are challenging for the global optimization of high-efficiency systems. In this study, the intelligent construction method for vapor compression systems, namely GraPHsep, is further developed to facilitate the simultaneous optimization of refrigerant selection, cycle structure, and system parameters. The GraPHsep method is applied to construct high-efficiency air conditioning and heat pump systems using refrigerants with low global warming potential for buildings. Concurrently, the preferred refrigerants with low global warming potential are derived, and the enhanced structure-energy efficiency relationship is analyzed. The energy efficiency potential of the constructed systems is evaluated through a comparison with existing systems. The analysis indicates the potential for improving coefficient of performance is 22.3 %, 9.2 %, 12.8 %, and 24.0 %, for the four scenarios: air conditioners, chillers, air source heat pumps for space heating, and heat pump water heaters, respectively.

Keywords: Thermodynamic cycle; Heat exchanger network; Heat integration; Heat pump; GWP; Alternative refrigerants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:333:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225030233

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137381

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