The optimum flow temperature for operating a heat pump is most efficient at around 45 °C. The flow temperature is the temperature of the heating water supplied to the radiators.
The heat pump can be used as an environmentally friendly heating device that works on exactly the same principle as a domestic refrigerator. Unlike a refrigerator, however, it does not use the lower-temperature side of the thermodynamic cycle (heat source evaporator), but rather the side of the cycle where heat is provided by the condenser (heat sink).
A heat pump absorbs environmental heat or other low-temperature, unusable heat from a heat source and transforms (pumps) this heat to a higher, usable temperature level, for example for space heating or for heating industrial processes. Usable heat sources can be environmental heat from the ground, outside or exhaust air, groundwater or natural bodies of water, as well as waste heat from industrial processes.
Heat pumps are mainly powered by electricity (generated from renewable sources wherever possible) and are therefore the most important component for a greenhouse gas-neutral heat supply.
Another advantage of a heat pump is that it can also be used for cooling in summer.
PLWP – independent test center for heat pumps
ILK Dresden is an accredited test center for independent testing of heat pumps. In addition to testing brine-water heat pumps, we also test air-water heat pumps, refrigeration condensing units, refrigerant compressors, fans, and heat exchangers.
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A particular focus of research at ILK Dresden is to develop new areas of application for heat pumps.
The primary goal is to increase the energy efficiency of these forward-looking heating systems. To achieve this, the electrical energy consumption of heat pumps must be reduced, environmentally friendly refrigerants must be used, and new application temperature ranges must be developed.
For industrial applications with temperatures above 70 °C, for example, the market share is still very small or virtually non-existent. As part of a research project, the ILK has developed a demonstration model of a high-temperature heat pump with a capacity of 15 kW. Useful temperatures of 140 °C have been achieved. Partners are being sought who have potential applications for this technology.
