Paper No 1102 – Performance analysis of hybrid operating modes for dual coolant-source heat pump system applied to electric-driven vehicles – 14th IEA Heat Pump Conference, Chicago, USA
An efficient heating system for the cabin of electric-driven vehicles (xEVs) is required to minimize the reduction in the driving range. However, studies regarding heat pumps that use waste heat from fuel cell stack, PE(Power Electronics) and battery in xEVs are limited. In this study, the heating performance of dual coolant-source heat pump using waste heat in xEVs is investigated by varying coolant temperature, and coolant volumetric flow rate to have enough capacity in severe ambient conditions. A developed triple-fluid heat exchanger is introduced to recover waste heat from the fuel cell stack and PE with high level and battery with relatively low level at different temperatures. The heating performance of the coolant-source heat pumps using one coolant and dual coolants shows different characteristics owing to the different temperature levels of the coolants and heat transfer between two coolants. This study suggests optimum heat pump system of xEVs with respect to driving range characteristics under severe ambient conditions.