Simulation based identification of the ideal defrost start time for a heat pump system for electric vehicles

Resistance heating with PTC elements to cover the heat demand of electric vehicles reduces significantly the cruising range at low outside temperatures. Reversible heat pump systems are one of the most promising solutions for this problem. However, in heat pump mode the frost formation on the exterior heat exchanger reduces the performance and efficiency of the system. Therefore, an efficient defrost method is crucial to benefit from the heat pump also under frosting conditions. In the present paper, a transient Modelica simulation model of a reversible CO2-heat pump system with hot gas defrost was set up in order to assess the impact of different defrost start times. The model is able to handle frost growth on the exterior heat exchanger as well as defrosting. The simulation results showed an optimal point of time to conduct defrost at chosen operating conditions in order to maximize the average COP including the frosting and defrost period.