Design and Experimental Investigation of heat pump with microchannel heat exchanger and nanofluids

Globally, the extensive consumption of fossil fuels in hot water production has been contributing increasingly to global warming and energy resource depletion. Due to the exceptionally high energy consumption levels in a domestic setting, the low efficiency of the gas boiler has significantly contributed to increased CO2 emissions. With innovative new technologies, including advanced thermodynamic cycles and optimised heat transfer fluids and devices, domestic hot water with a temperature range between 60 degree Celsius and 95 degree Celsius can be generated more efficiently and in small scale facilities. Prior to the widespread implementation of any such technology for domestic use, specific technical and practical issues should be identified and resolved. The heat pump technology has been found to be a promising thermodynamic process for generating hot water for domestic use. The UK government has ambitious targets to see heat pumps installed in 600,000 homes per year by 2028, if achieved, it will be a crucial part of the UK transitioning to net zero. This project will design and build a test rig for a domestic hot water system using state-of-the-art microchannel heat exchangers as heat transfer devices, advanced nanofluids as heat transfer working fluids, and an R32 heat pump. The microchannel and nanomaterials technologies involved in the heat pump system are innovative methods to increase the heat pump performance and reduce the physical size for domestic applications. Through the proposed project, UK manufacturers will be able to increase technical knowledge and data within the sector, which will improve their competitiveness.