Energy saving potential of low temperature hot water system based on air source absorption heat pump

Boilers are widely used to generate low temperature hot water for heating and domestic hot water. In order to improve the efficiency and decrease the emission of pollution in the process of producing low temperature hot water, a heating system based on air source absorption heat pump (ASAHP) is proposed. A simplified model of the proposed system is built based on the heat and mass balance. The model is verified by comparing the predicted results with those from a previous reference. The performances of ASAHP using H2O/LiBr and NH3/LiNO3 as working fluids are simulated at different air temperatures. Based on the simulated performance, energy saving potential of the proposed system applied in four typical Chinese cities is analyzed. The results show that the proposed system can provide energy saving rates of 18%, 28.5%, 37% and 42% in Shenyang, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou respectively, showing great potentials in future applications of low temperature hot water.

► Air source absorption heat pump is proposed to generate low temperature hot water.
► H2O/LiBr and NH3/LiNO3 can be used as working fluids at different air temperature.
► Energy saving rate of air source absorption heat pump ranges from 18% to 42%.