Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004
MODELING AND SIMULATION OF A HIGH TEMPERATURE WATER-TO-
WATER HEAT PUMP USING R134A
Abdesselam Hamlaoui Than Cheok Fah and Hazem Mohamed
Engineering Faculty, University of Malaya, Pantai Valley, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
E-mail: hamlaoui@um.edu.my
ABSTRACT
In this paper, a steady state simulation model of an
actual vapor compression water-to-water heat pump
unit using R-134a as a refrigerant is presented. The
model is based on the performance characteristics of
all components involved as well as thermodynamic
properties of R-134a and water. The simulation model
is able predict the system performance by supplying
the water temperature and water mass flow rate
entering the evaporator, cooling water temperature
and cooling water mass flow rate entering the
condenser as inputs. To validate the simulation results,
a prototype water-to-water heat pump was
constructed for heating water from ambient
temperature 30 ˚C to temperatures greater than 80°C
using a recovery heat source of about 50˚ C. System
thermal performance was determined by measuring
refrigerant and water flow rates, temperatures and
pressures at numerous points in the system.
Performance data is presented for the overall heat
pump system. The actual coefficient of performance of
heating, (COPh) for the system obtained was 4.9. Good
agreement between model predictions and
experimental measurements has been found, despite
the use of many simplifying assumptions. Simulation
results obtained for characteristic performance
parameters show an agreement with errors generally
less than 10%.
Keywords: Heat pump, R-134a, hot water heating.
1. INTRODUCTION
Heat pumps offer the most energy-efficient way to
provide heating and cooling in many applications, as they
can use renewable heat sources from the surroundings.
Even at temperatures we consider to be cold, air, ground
and water contain useful heat that's continuously
replenished by the sun. By applying a little more energy, a
heat pump can raise the temperature of this heat energy to
the level needed. Similarly, heat pumps can also use
waste heat sources, such as industrial processes, cooling
equipment or ventilation air extracted from buildings.
Heat pumps have enormous potential for saving energy,
particularly in industrial processes. They are capable of
recovering low temperature waste heat, which would
otherwise be discharged to air or water, in an efficient
way and rising it to high temperature heat energy that can
be utilized for various applications. There are two
approaches in heat pumps steady state modeling, the first
one is based on empirical data and the second one is
based on the physics of the process(analytical modeling).
Examples of experimental modeling is Kiatsiriroat et al.
[1] who developed model equations from experimental
data for three main components of the vapor-compression
refrigeration system, which were the compressor,
condenser and evaporator. Modeling of each components
of the system is performed for the evaporator temperature
range of -20°C to 10°C and the condensing temperature of
20°C to 60°C. The performance of the system, using R12
as refrigerant, was simulated at different refrigeration
loads and operating conditions. The simulation results
deviated from the experimental results up to 9.8 %.
Another experimental model was by C. Cecchini and D.
Marchal[2] who presented a simulation model of
refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment under steady
state condition based on experimental data. Their model is
based on a mathematical model of the thermodynamic
cycle and on experimental data from equipment testing.
The accuracy of the model is quite satisfactory, despite
the use of many simplifying assumption.
From analytical point of view N.B.M. Stefanuk et al. [3]
presented a steady-state model of a water-to-water, vapor-
compression-cycle heat pump operating under superheat
control using R22 as refrigerant. Their model is derived
entirely from the basic conservation laws of mass, energy,
momentum, and equations of state as well as fundamental
correlations of heat transfer. Model predictions were
compared to experimental data. Good agreement was
found for the cases studied. Results indicate that the
superheat of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator and the
refrigerant charge can be used as control variables to
maximize system performance.
Much investigations were done on the performance of R-
134a heat pump were on low temperature operation.
There is no known work on water-to-water heat pumps
for production of high temperature water until K.S. Ong
et.al [4] conducted an experiment to investigate its
feasibility. Further experimental investigations were
conducted by Abdesselam et al. [5] on water-to-water
heat pump used to raise water form the ambient
temperature of 28°C to a temperature of 90°C, assisted by
a simulated hot water source at 50°C. The actual
coefficient of performance of heating, COPh, for the
system obtained was 4.9. The aim of this paper is to study
the performance of a high temperature water-to-water
heat pump.
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004

2. MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION (T7 − T12 ) − (T8 − T4 )

(TLMTD ) e = (7)
The developed mathematical model in this work is based T − T12
on the schematic diagram shown in Figure1. Components
ln 7
T8 − T4
of heat pump, namely compressor, condenser and
evaporator under steady state condition are presented as The overall heat transfer rate Qe is expressed as
follows:
Compressor Qe = U e Ae (TLMTD ) e (8)
The following assumptions are made for the reciprocating
compressor model: The compressor is under steady state where Ue is the overall heat transfer coefficient for the
operation; No pressure drop at suction and discharge evaporator and Ae the heat transfer area for the
valves; the heat of compression for the compressor is evaporator. Assuming Qe, Ue and Ae are constants.
q w = h2 − h1 (1)
Condenser
 k −1

k   
P2 k 
h2 − h1 = Pv
1 1   − 1 (2) Since both the condenser and evaporator are heat
k −1  P
 1 
exchanger, they have certain figures in common. The
 refrigerant condenses at constant pressure, its’
where P1 and v1 is pressure and specific volume at suction temperature is constant only in the condensing portion.
for the refrigerant and P2 is the discharge pressure. k is the The temperature difference between the refrigerant and
polytropic index of compression. P2/P1 is the pressure the cooling fluid at the condenser is represented by
ratio for the compressor. Logarithm Mean Temperature Difference, (TLMTD) c.
Assume the superheated refrigerant at compressor suction (T23 − T6 ) − (T34 − T5 )
as an ideal gas with specific volume: (TLMTD ) c = (9)
8.314 × 10 T1−2  T − T6 
v1 = (3) ln  23 
102.03P1  T34 − T5 
The refrigerant mass flow rate, mr is expressed as The overall heat transfer rate for the condenser, Qc is
expressed as
Vp
mr = ηv (4) Qc = U c Ac (TLMTD ) c (10)
v1 where Uc is the overall heat transfer coefficient for the
where Vp is the piston displacement, which is condenser and Ac the heat transfer area for the condenser.
nπD 2 1 The same assumptions that Qc , Uc and Ac are constants,
Vp = LN × (5) are also made on the condenser.
4 60
D is the bore or diameter and L is the stroke of the piston. Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV)
N is the piston speed in rpm while n is the number of
cylinder. The expansion device is assumed to be adiabatic; so it is
ηv is the volumetric efficiency of the compressor and is therefore isenthalpic from the first law of
expressed as thermodynamics:
1 1
h 3 = h4 (11)
P k P k P
η v = (1 + C ) 2  − C  2  − 0.015 2 (6)
Connecting tubing
 P1   P1  P1
C is the clearance ratio and normally ≤0.05. The effect of
It is assumed that there are no pressure or temperature
leakage past piston rings and under the suction valve
drops in the connecting tubing and that the tubing is
elements is accounted for by allowing 1.5 per cent
adiabatic.
leakage per unit of the compression ratio.
System energy balance
Evaporator

The refrigerant evaporates at a constant pressure; its
temperature is constant only in the evaporating portion.
Assuming that the refrigerant entering evaporator is
saturated mixture, the distribution of temperature will be
as shown in figure4.1. The temperature difference
between the refrigerant and the cooling fluid is
represented by Logarithm Mean Temperature Difference,
(TLMTD) e.
From the first law of thermodynamics for a heat pump
system
Qc = Qe + Qw (12)
Thermodynamic properties for refrigerant-134a.
Correlations of saturated pressure, Psat in the function of
saturated temperature, Tsat is expressed as following. The
pressure is in bar and the temperature is in Kelvin
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004

−8 4
Psat = 6.22135417 × 10 Tsat − 6.53438906 × 10 Tsat
−5 3 For the superheated vapor enthalpy, hsh, the correlation in
(13) the function of superheated entropy ssh and the respective
2
+0.02747455Tsat − 5.3551506Tsat + 401.19683848 pressure, Psh is presented as follows:

2 2 2
Correlation of saturated vapor enthalpy, hsat_v in the hsh = 114.42062246 s sh Psh − 0.0777645 s sh Psh − 1978.24775 s sh
function of saturated temperature, Tsat is expressed as 2
+ 0.05509426 Psh − 399.85351241s sh Psh + 353.07425491Psh

( ) ( )
4

Tsat 3 Tsat
hsat _ v = −222.46230595 1 − − 4.00777424 1− + 7.29082819 × 10 s sh − 6.397156454 × 10
3 3

374.15 374.15
(20)

( ) ( )
2 1

Tsat 3 Tsat 3
− 211.99781373 1 − + 231.70083594 1 − The correlation for superheated temperature, Tsh in the
374.15 374.15 function of superheated enthalpy, hsh and the respective
+ 276.37114917 pressure, Psh is expressed as
(14)
Correlation of saturated liquid enthalpy, hsat_l in the Tsh = 0.9814 Psh + 0.8488hsh + 40.5262 (21)
function of saturated temperature, Tsat is expressed as
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES FOR WATER

( ) ( )
4

Tsat 3 Tsat Investigation on water saturation properties suggested that

hsat _ l = −222.46230595 1 − − 4.00777424 1 − −
374.15 374.15 there is a linear relation between saturated water enthalpy
and the saturation temperature. The correlation is

( ) ( )
2 1

Tsat 3 Tsat 3 expressed as follow

306.13237698 1 − − 24.55844306 1 −
374.15 374.15
hsat _ l = 4.187Tsat − 1142.9 (22)
+ 279.99319467
Similar linearity also observed between saturated water
(15) entropy and the saturation temperature. The correlation is
Correlation of saturated temperature, Tsat in the function expressed as follow
of saturated liquid hsat_l is expressed as
s sat _ l = 0.0126Tsat − 3.3864 (23)
Tsat = 173.752473 + 1.082028hsat _ l − 0.001226 hsat _ l
2
(16)

3. HEAT PUMP SYSTEM SIMULATION

Equation for saturated liquid entropy, ssat_l in the function
of Tsat is expressed as
ssat _ l = 6 × 10 −6 Tsat2 + 0.001T + 0.2663
Properties for refrigerant at the superheated region were
also presented as follows. For the superheated vapor
enthalpy, hsh, the correlation is in the function of
superheated temperature Tsh and the respective pressure,
Psh
−4 2 2
hsh = 7.13437665 × 10 Tsh Psh − 0.00377195Tsh Psh + 1.29532804 Psh
2 summarized below.
− 0.00356689Tsh − 0.39952394Tsh Psh + 51.28017826 Psh
+ 3.05079704Tsh − 258.7964482
For the superheated vapor entropy, ssh, the correlation in
the function of superheated temperature Tsh and the
respective pressure, Psh is expressed as
2 2
−6
s sh = 2.62234309 × 10 Tsh Psh − 1.47001149 × 10 Tsh Psh
2 −5
+ 0.0052827 Psh − 2.13562083 × 10 Tsh − 0.00143635Tsh Psh
+ 0.16667893 Psh + 0.01573412Tsh − 0.92402748
The simulation of the steady-state vapor compression
(17) cycle model was based on the iterative convergence
algorithm. The program consisted of four main iterative
loops, which were used to find out the converged values
of initial guesses of four parameters: v1, the refrigerant
specific volume at compressor suction; T4, the
evaporating temperature; T34, the condensing temperature;
and T12, the evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature.
2
The algorithm consists of four main convergence loops as
1. Specify the inputs: T5, the condenser water inlet
temperature; T7, the evaporator water inlet
temperature; mcw, the condenser water mass
(18)
flowrate; and mew, the evaporator water mass
flowrate.
2. Specify initial guesses of the refrigerant specific
volume at compressor suction, v1; the evaporating
−5
temperature, T4; the condensing temperature, T34;
2
and the evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature,
T12.
3. By using the regression equation of saturated
(19) pressure, the first iterative loop calculates the
condensing pressure and evaporating pressure.
Therefore the compression pressure ratio was
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004
calculated by increase the T4 with 0.01°C every loop
until the pressure ratio calculated was fall within a
given range. This gave a new T4.
4. With the new T4, refrigerant mass flowrate, mr and
saturated liquid enthalpy of refrigerant at condenser
outlet, h34 were calculated. By assuming the h34
equals to the refrigerant enthalpy of expansion
device inlet, h3, therefore the h4 can be found by
assuming h4 equals to h3.
5. Simulate the evaporator. If the calculated heat
transfer rate Qe by equation 15 is within a
prespecified error tolerance of the calculated Qe by
equation 17, go to step 6. Otherwise, update T12 by
increase 0.01°C and repeat step 5.
6. After the new T12 was obtained, some parameters
can be calculated such as T1, T2, T23, h1, h2 and h23.
7. Simulated the condenser. If the calculated heat
transfer rate Qc by equation 18 is within a
prespecified error tolerance of the calculated Qc by
equation 20, go to step 8. Otherwise, update T34 by
decrease 0.01°C and repeat step 7.
8. At this point, all of the states in the heat pump cycle
are known and the thermodynamic energy balance is
satisfied. However, the guess refrigerant specific
volume at compressor suction, v1 may not within a
prespecified error tolerance of the calculated value
of v1. If the v1 fall within the prespecified error
tolerance, then the operating point has been found,
so go to step 9. Otherwise, update the guess value of
v1 and repeat step 3 to step 8.
9. Finally, calculate the coefficient of performance
(COP) of the heat pump. Output the results.
The following assumptions are made on the system
throughout the simulation
1. No pressure drop across evaporator.
2. No pressure and temperature from evaporator
outlet to compressor suction.
3. No pressure drop across condenser.
4. No pressure and temperature drop from the
compressor discharge to the condenser inlet.
5. Isenthalpic expansion in expansion valve
6. No temperature and pressure drop from
condenser outlet to the inlet of the expansion
valve.
4. EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT AND
PROCEDURE
The experimental equipment is shown schematically in
Fig. 1. It consisted mainly of a 3-phase x 1.7 kW
compressor supplying R-134a refrigerant to a plate-type
heat exchanger as condenser and another plate-type heat
exchanger as evaporator. The condenser was cooled using
a once-through flow of cold water at ambient temperature.
Heat to the evaporator was supplied by circulating hot
water from a hot water storage tank. The water in the tank
was heated using 3 x 2.5 kW immersion heating elements.
Temperature control in the tank was via a bimetallic
thermostat. The mean water temperature in the tank was
measured by two Cu-Con thermocouples inserted inside
the tank.
The refrigerant flow-metering device was a conventional
thermostatic externally equalized expansion valve. Sight
glasses located in the liquid line allowed the state of the
refrigerant to be determined. Cu-Con thermocouples held
in close surface contact with and attached to the pipe
walls were located at the various points shown in Fig. 1.
Electronic pressure transducers were employed to
measure the pressures at these points. Two Schlumberger
coriolis-type flowmeter were employed; one connected to
the liquid line after the receiver measured liquid
refrigerant flow rate to within 0.001 kg s-1 with an
accuracy of within less than + 1% of the flow measured,
the other flowmeter measured the water mass flow rates
to the evaporator. Condenser water mass flow rate was
measured with a manually-read Rotameter. Power
consumption was measured with a Dranetz Power
Platform. Dynamic data logging was performed using a
SR630 logger and LABVIEW. Real-time data and results
were displayed simultaneously on the PC monitor.
In the experiment, water in the hot water storage tank was
first heated to about 55 oC. Condenser and evaporator
water flow rates were controlled at 0.040 and 0.35 kg s-1,
respectively, using the hand valve. Condenser water inlet
temperature was at 28 oC. The compressor was then
switched on. Data recorded in real-time and displayed on
the PC monitor screen after the system had reached the
steady state conditions.
5. RESULTS
Four sets of experiments were conducted on the system,
namely Run 1, Run 2, Run 3 and Run 4. The objective in
Run 1 is to investigate the performance of the heat pump
system under low evaporating temperature by maintaining
the temperature of the hot water storage tank at 35 °C.
The water storage tank temperature was increased and
maintained at 55°C in Run 2 to investigate its’
performance at high evaporating temperature. At Run 3,
the storage tank temperature was kept at 55°C at the
initial stage of the experiment. The speed of the pump
circulating hot water to evaporator was changed during
the experiment in order to investigate the effect of varying
hot water mass flow rate to the performance of the heat
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004
pump system. Run 4 was carried out to study the effect of
the cooling water to the performance of the heat pump
system by varying the cooling water mass flow of the
condenser.
Comparisons between predictions of the model and
corresponding measurements on the experimental facility
were made to determine the accuracy and limitations of
the steady-state model. It was found that the model is
generally accurate to within +5% of the experimental
measurements for all the temperatures as shown in Figure
2 and figure 3, for the suction and discharge temperature
respectively. The accuracy was considered to be
satisfactory for this project.
Figure 4 shows the comparison of the calculated
coefficient of performance verses the measured one, with
the accuracy around +15%. This deviation is due to the
assumption mentioned above in the model. In which the
overall heat transfer coefficient of condenser and
evaporator was assumed to be a constant. Although those
values are provided in the heat exchanger catalogues, the
values are actually based on different conditions and
therefore can be changed with respect to condensing and
evaporating temperatures. On the other hand, the
difference between predicted and experimental
condensing pressure falls within a band of + 10%. This is
considered as an acceptable range of deviation.
The reasons for the deviation between the experimental
and simulated values are also due to the experimental
uncertainties and in the calculated values of the
thermodynamic properties. This are added to the
modeling equations which are only applied for steady
state flow processes.
6. CONCLUSIONS
Hot water temperatures up to 90 oC was obtained from the
present water to water heat pump equipment. Results
show that it is possible to operate the R-134a water-to-
water heat pump from a heated water source at about
50oC to produce hot water at 90oC with a COPh of 4.9.
Steady state model and simulation algorithm for a water-
to-water heat pump has been presented with the
knowledge of the performance characteristics of all
components involved as well as thermodynamic
properties of R-134a and water. The simulation program
could predict the system performance by supplying the
hot water temperature entering evaporator, T7/K, hot
water mass flow rate, mew/kgs-1, cooling water
temperature entering condenser, T5/K and cooling water
mass flow rate, mcw/kgs-1. The results from the simulation
studies are generally relevant.
7. REFERENCES
[1] T.Kiasiriroat, K.Chouwcheun and P.Wibulswas,
“Simulation of A Standard Vapor-Compression
Refrigerant System”, ASEAN J.Sci. Technol.
Develop. 11(1) 1994.
[2] C. Cecchini, D. Marchal, “A simulation model of
refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment based on
experimental data”, ASHRAE Transactions, Part 2,
388 (1994)
[3] N.B.M. Stefanuk, J.D. Aplevich, M. Renksizbulut, “
Modeling and simulation of a superheat-controlled
water-to-water heat pump”, ASHRAE Transaction,
pp172-184 (1994).
[4] K. S. Ong, Abdesselam H., C.Y. Chong,
“Performance of an R-134a heat pump for production
of high temperature water”, Journal-Institute of
Engineers, Malaysia. Vol.60, No.4, (1999).
[5] Abdesselam H., Than Cheok Fah, K.S. Ong, “Further
experimental results on a performance of an R-134a
heat pump for production of high temperature water”,
Regional Conference on Higher Engineering
Education, pp119-123 (2001)UM, Malaysia
8. AUTHORS
Principal author: Abdesselam Hamlaoui is a lecturer of
Mechanical Engineering at the University of Malaya
(Malaysia). He earned Master of Engineering from the
university of Constantine (Algeria) and a Master of
Engineering Science from the University of Malaya both
in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Hamlaoui joined the university of Malaya in 1996.
His research interests include renewable energy
applications, refrigeration, thermal sciences, and energy
conservation.
Mr. Hamlaoui is a registered Professional Engineer and is
a member of the American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) and the Society of Automotive Engineering
International (SAE)
E-mail: Hamlaoui@um.edu.my
Co-authors: Than Cheok Fah, Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering at the University of Malaya
(Malaysia) B.Eng.(Hons), M.Eng.Sc.(Mal)University of
Malaya, Ph.D. (WPI)USA
Expertise: Thermo-fluids, Fire safety, Risk assessment,
solar energy
Research: Development Of Solar Heater (Solar water
heater, solar air heater and solar assisted heat pump, heat
pipes).A Fracture Behaviour of Window Glass Wide
Controlled Heating ondition. Development Of Oil Spill
Contingency Management System for Strits Of Malacca.
E-mail: thancf@um.edu.my
Hazem Mohamed is a lecturer of Mechanical Engineering
at the University of Malaya (Malaysia)
B.Sc. (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Zagazig
University Egypt), M.Eng. Sc. Of Engineering ( Uni. Of
Malaya)
His research interests include Mechatronics - Control
Engineering- Modeling
E-mail: hazem@um.edu.my
Presenter:
The paper is presented by Hazem Mohamed.
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004

Compressor

Pump

Flow Meter
T5 T6
Evaporator
P3
Condenser

T2 Receiver Tank
T34 T23
P2
Hot Water Tank

TXV
Water Storage
T1
Charging Head
P1

T3 T4 T12 Sight Glass

H. Pressure

L. Pressure
T8 T7
Valve-Opened
Ttank
Valve-Closed

Check Valve

Fig.1. Schematic Diagram of the Water to Water Heat Pump System . Filter Drier

Rotameter
Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004

320
+ 3%
318 Unity
calculated suction temperature T1 (K)

316

314

312

310

308

306

304

302

300
300 302 304 306 308 310 312 314 316 318 320
measured suction temperature T1 (K)

Figure 2: calculated vs measured suction temperature RUN #1 RUN #2 RUN #3 RUN #4

380
Unity
375
calculated discharge temperature T2 (K)

370

365

360

355

- 5%
350

345

340
340 345 350 355 360 365 370 375 380
measured discharge temperature T2 (K)

Figure 3: calculated vs measured suction temperature RUN #1 RUN #2 RUN #3 RUN #4

5.8
Unity
5.6

5.4
calculated COP

5.2

4.8

4.6

4.4

4.2

4
4 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6
measured COP

Figure 4: calculated vs measured COP RUN #1 RUN #2 RUN #3 RUN #4

Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference 2004