Usage Analysis of Hydrothermal Heat Pump Installations of Open and Closed Types

The article is devoted to the problem of assessing the efficiency of heat pump power installations depending on the origin of the primary natural source of thermal energy that is used in the operation of the heat pump. The results of testing two experimental installations with different sources of primary thermal energy were analyzed, namely: low-enthalpy energy of groundwater in the upper aquifer and the heat of surface waters. Both installations have the same thermal power, which makes it possible to evaluate the efficiency of these installations by comparing their energy and technical and economic indicators. Technological schemes of both installations and characteristics of measuring equipment are given. The results of experimental studies on the stability of the initial parameters of the natural coolant at different depths for both systems are provided. It has been established that the temperature fluctuation of the natural coolant during the heating season for the first installation is 0.5-2 °C, while for the second it is 8-9 °C. The most effective way of developing low-potential geothermal resources has been determined, taking into account the nature of the primary source of thermal energy and the design features of the selection system for the first installation of fluctuations in the temperature of the natural coolant during the heating period. Technical and economic calculations have shown that projects for the creation of heat pump installations based on aquifers have the greatest investment attractiveness. Such projects are characterized by a higher conversion rate and, as a result, the payback period for such projects is shorter