Innovative buffer solution for heat pump systems

Abstract

This article presents an innovative solution for a buffer tank and reports on the results of tests assessing its impact on the energy efficiency of heat pump installations. The innovation is an integrated flow control system that effectively minimises the impact of the mixing process. The research also addresses common issues associated with standard solutions, particularly the mixing of supply and return flows in hydraulic systems. This decreases the supply temperature in the secondary circuit and consequently reduces the energy efficiency of the heat pump. Using the developed solution has been shown to improve the energy efficiency by 9.9% in the worst-case scenario, i.e. when the flow in the secondary circuit exceeds that in the primary circuit.