14 April 2023

Conceptualization of wet and dry steam compression with liquid water injection for high-temperature heat pumps – A thermodynamic approach

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Water has been used as a natural, extremely low global warming potential refrigerant in high-temperature heat pumps. The steam compressor’s extra high discharge temperature at high-pressure ratios (e.g., 15) can be prevented
via liquid water injection during the compression process as an effective desuperheating method. The proposed
thermodynamic approach provides insights into the compression process with liquid injection (above and below the
saturated vapor line), temperature/pressure build-ups, compression work, and the coefficient of performance of a
heat pump equipped with a rotary vane compressor to deliver heat at 200°C.