EU research project for the development of trigeneration heat pump systems with natural refrigerants for multi-family residential buildings.
TRI-HP Project (Trigeneration systems based on heat pumps with natural refrigerants and multiple renewable sources)
Rapperswil (CH)New on Amplifa
About TRI-HP
TRI-HP was a European research project for the development of trigeneration systems based on electrically driven heat pumps with natural refrigerants (CO2 and propane), coupled with photovoltaics. The systems deliver heating, cooling and electricity for new and renovated multi-family residential buildings with a renewable on-site share of 80 % and a targeted reduction of investment costs by 10–15 %. In addition to the heat pump cycle processes, ice-repellent coatings (icephobic coatings), three advanced heat exchanger types (Supercooler, Tri-partite Gas Cooler, Dual-Source) and a model-predictive energy management solution with efficiency drift self-diagnosis were developed. Two system concepts – Solar Ice-Slurry and Dual-Source (ground/air) – were validated in laboratories at SPF-HSR (Rapperswil) and IREC using the Concise Cycle Test and Hardware-in-the-Loop. In addition, social science studies examined acceptance among end users, installers and building operators. The project ended in February 2023; it is not a manufacturing company but a research consortium.
- Site
- CH-8640 Rapperswil
- Processes
- Trigeneration systems (heating, cooling, electricity) based on electrically driven heat pumps with, Ice-repellent coatings (icephobic coatings), Heat exchanger development (Supercooler, Tri-partite Gas Cooler, Dual-Source), Model-predictive control / Advanced Energy Management, Efficiency drift self-diagnosis, Solar Ice-Slurry heat pump system, Dual-Source/Sink heat pump system, System testing methodology (Concise Cycle Test, Hardware-in-the-Loop)
- Materials
- CO2 (refrigerant R744), Propane (refrigerant R290), Fluoropolymers, Silicone-based polymers, Glycol (heat transfer fluid), CO2 as natural refrigerant, Propane as natural refrigerant, Glycol as heat transfer fluid
- Industries
- Building services / heat pumps, Renewable energies, Residential construction (multi-family houses, new build and renovation)
- 01
Research & Development (heat pump cycles, heat exchangers, coatings)
- 02
Advanced Control / Energy Management
- 03
System integration (Solar Ice-Slurry, Dual-Source)
- 04
Laboratory system testing (Concise Cycle Test, Hardware-in-the-Loop)
- 05
Acceptance studies / Dissemination
Refrigerants & Materials
CO2 as natural refrigerant
Non-toxic, non-flammable and particularly suitable for hot water up to 80 °C.
Propane as natural refrigerant
Efficient solution for heating and cooling with high subcooling in the TRI-HP concept.
Fluoropolymers
Intrinsically hydrophobic coatings with higher layer thickness for ice-repellent surfaces.
Silicone-based polymers
Low-surface-energy materials for reducing ice adhesion.
Glycol as heat transfer fluid
Heat transfer medium in the Dual-Source heat exchanger with direct exchange to the refrigerant.
Locations
Rapperswil
CHProject coordination (SPF Institute for Solar Technology), laboratory test setup SPF-HSR
- Materials
- CO2, propane
- Laboratory test setup SPF-HSR
- Hardware-in-the-Loop test setup
- Heat pump (CO2)
- Heat pump (propane)
System Components
Inside the production
Industries
13 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump (CO2, natural refrigerants) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Heat pump (propane) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Dual-Source heat pump system (ground/air) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Solar Ice-Slurry heat pump system | – | – | – | – | – |
| Supercooler heat exchanger | – | – | – | – | – |
| Tri-partite Gas Cooler (heat exchanger, 3 sections) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Dual-Source ground/air heat exchanger (evaporator/condenser) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Solar thermal collectors | – | – | – | – | – |
| PV system (photovoltaics) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ice-Slurry storage | – | – | – | – | – |
| Laboratory test setup SPF-HSR | – | – | – | – | SPF, Rapperswil |
| Laboratory test setup IREC | – | – | – | – | IREC |
| Advanced Energy Management System (MPC-based) | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Project History
- 2023-01
Webinar 'Novel heat pump technologies based on natural refrigerants and multiple renewable sources' on 12 January
- 2023-02
Project completion in February 2023; Final Event on 7 February 2023 in Brussels, streamed live via the BUILD UP portal