Modeling and analysis of ground-source heat pump system on low GWP refrigerants for domestic applications.

The global interest to heat pumps technology is increasing in recent years because of its potential to reduce primary energy consumption and thus reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases. In this paper an efficiency analysis of a solar assisted ground source heat pump system with different working fluids is presented. Although, for specifying the possibilities for thermodynamic improvement, in many cases energy analysis is not enough and exergy analysis is more appropriate. In this study an exergy assessment of a solar assisted geothermal heat pump system is provided. The exergy losses in each of the components of the overall system are determined. Exergy efficiencies of the solar collector and the whole system is determined to assess their performances and to demonstrate the potential energy saving for further improvement.