Dual Source Heat exchanger as evaporator/condenser in a R290 heat pump: Design and experimental validation

A Dual Source heat exchanger (DSHX) was designed based on specifically developed dimensioning tools. The innovative DSHX can act as an evaporator and condenser, using air or brine as heat source/sink, based on a coaxial tube coil geometry. Propane (R290) based, dual source heat exchanger (DSHX) is able to exchange heat with brine/water, with air, or with both simultaneously in a smart way without complicate control strategies, avoiding refrigerant maldistributions and the requirement of secondary water loops. The DSHX prototype was designed, manufactured and experimentally tested in a dedicated test bench. The achieved Heat capacity or Power, on Heating/Cooling modes, with air or brine source/sink agrees well with the predicted values.