Absorption-Heat Pumps: Basics, function and applications [18]

While absorption chillers have been already established as cooling solutions for big basic cooling loads, the use of absorption units as a heat pump is still quite unknown on the European market. Against the background that the requirements as regards to the energy efficiency, reliability and the ecological footprint of overall energy concepts are getting more and more challenging for planners, energy providers and end customers, absorption heat pumps can be an interesting alternative to cover big basic heat loads.
Basically the functional principle of absorption heat pumps is very similar to the principle of absorption chillers. Thereby hot water, steam or flue gas can be used as a driving source. But also combinations of different heat sources or direct fired systems are possible, in order to operate absorption heat pumps.
Since absorption heat pumps need almost no electrical power input this trendsetting technology is very energy efficient and cost effective especially for big basic heat loads and high water temperatures. The minimized number of rotating parts leads to a stable and reliable operation and while the refrigerant which is used for this kind of technology is water, absorption heat pumps represent also an ecological friendly way of heating without any obligations related to the F-Gas Regulation (non flammable, GWP 0).
Based on 100 years of experience in the cooling and heating business and a strong partnership with Shuangliang Eco-Energy the company Rütgers GmbH & Co.KG meanwhile is one of the leading providers of absorption chillers and absorption heat pumps in Germany. The presentation shown to you during the European Heat Pump summit in Nuremberg introduces the functional principle of the forward-looking technology and illustrates how the end user in the commercial and industrial heat pump business can benefit by using absorption heat pumps.