Feasibility Analysis of Natural Gas Heat Pumps in the South of China

Natural gas heat pump systems are increasingly being adopted for cooling in southern regions, offering not only efficient refrigeration solutions but also contributing to peak load shifting and grid balancing due to their compatibility with electrical power systems. These systems provide an effective way to optimize the utilization of both gas pipelines and power grids, making them a sustainable and versatile energy solution. First, let's explore natural gas heat pump technology and its key advantages. A heat pump is a device that elevates a low-temperature heat source into a higher-temperature one, enabling efficient heating or cooling. In the case of a natural gas heat pump, natural gas serves as the primary fuel, driving the compressor through combustion. The system then recovers waste heat from the engine’s coolant and exhaust gases, significantly improving the overall energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. The core components of a natural gas heat pump include: 1) A unit system comprising a gas engine, compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve; 2) A heat recovery system featuring a cylinder liner water heat exchanger, exhaust heat recovery unit, and a hot water tank; 3) A gas supply and exhaust system; 4) A cold water system including cooling pumps, chilled water pumps, and cooling towers. In some configurations, an absorption chiller may also be integrated when the recovered heat is used for cooling. The working principle of a natural gas heat pump follows the reverse cycle of a heat engine, aligning with the second law of thermodynamics. By consuming a certain amount of high-energy input (such as natural gas), heat can be extracted from a low-temperature source—like air, well water, seawater, or solar energy—and transferred to a high-temperature area for heating or cooling purposes. This process results in a greater heat output than the energy consumed, expressed by the formula: **Q = Q_low + P**, where **Q** represents the total heat delivered, **Q_low** is the heat absorbed from the low-temperature source, and **P** is the energy input. Air-source heat pumps are the most common type of natural gas heat pump, available in two main forms: "air/water" and "air/air." Their operation varies depending on whether the system is in cooling or heating mode. In **cooling mode**, the gas engine drives the compressor, pressurizing the refrigerant. The high-temperature refrigerant then releases heat in the condenser, which is used to cool indoor air. The refrigerant expands through the valve, absorbing heat from the indoor air in the evaporator, thus lowering the temperature. The vaporized refrigerant returns to the compressor, and the engine’s waste heat is recycled for hot water use. In **heating mode**, the process is similar, but the heat released in the condenser is used to warm the indoor air instead of cooling it. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air in the evaporator before returning to the compressor. Again, the engine’s waste heat is recovered for additional hot water production. By integrating natural gas and heat pump technologies, these systems offer a flexible, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for both heating and cooling applications, especially in regions with fluctuating energy demands.

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