Exergetic interrelation between an heat pump and components

• An air to water heat pump was designed to make an exergetic comparative investigation.
• It is operated with R22 and uses a scroll compressor.
• A detailed exergy analysis is made for components and heat pump system.
• The relation between the exergetic performances of components and heat pump is investigated.

In this study, the relation between the exergetic performance of the heat pump and its components are investigated experimentally by using an air to water heat pump. Moreover, the effects of the working conditions of the components on the exergetic performance of the system are exposed and discussed. An experimental air to water heat pump system was designed and built. The results were evaluated by comparing the components and heat pump according to their performances. 33–45% of the all destructed exergy of the heat pump system comes into existence in the compressor. The contribution of the condenser to the total exergy destruction rate of the heat pump is between 23% and 34%. Contribution of the compressor to the exergy destruction rate of heat pump decreases with an increase in the air temperature and it increases with a decrease in the air mass flow rate. Contribution of the compressor to the exergy destruction rate of heat pump decreases with an increase in the air temperature and it increases with a decrease in the air mass flow rate. In terms of exergetic performance of the heat pump, the importance and priority of the components vary with the heat source thermal conditions.