Heat pump systems have proven to be an efficient means of space heating and water heating. The refrigerant chosen for heat pump operation can have a marked impact on the system performance. Many conventional refrigerants have been chosen for good performance, but in many cases these refrigerants are toxic, polluting and highly potent greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural refrigerant whose impact on the environment is negligible in comparison. Carbon dioxide’s low critical point and supercritical properties make it attractive for use in a transcritical heat pump cycle. This paper looks at the properties of supercritical carbon dioxide and how these properties can benefit heat pump system performance.
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How to cite this article
Austin, B. and Sumathy, K. (2010). 'Thermophysical properties of supercritical CO2 and their impacts on transcritical heat pump design'. SET Proceedings, 9, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.65582/set.2010.094