Simple Propane Heat Pump
Energy
Heat pumps transfer heat from a low-temperature heat source to a higher-temperature heat sink and are widely used for space and water heating, industrial heat recovery, and simultaneous heating and cooling. Propane (R290) is a natural refrigerant with favorable thermodynamic properties and is widely used in heat-pump and refrigeration applications. This example demonstrates a simple propane vapor-compression heat pump. Propane evaporates by absorbing heat from a water stream, thereby cooling the water, before being compressed to a higher pressure and temperature. The refrigerant then transfers heat to a second water stream, is expanded through a valve, and returns to the evaporator to complete the cycle.
The flowsheet viewer needs a wider screen. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to explore the process itself.
