Are “heat transformers” and “absorption chillers” suitable developments for heat generation?
https://www.geothermie.de/bibliothek/lexikon-der-geothermie/w/waermetransformator.html
HEAT TRANSFORMER
The heat transformer acts as a 'heat splitter' that splits the heat flow Q1 into a warmer (Q2) and a cooler (Q0) stream. Source: Cudok.
Heat transformers are a special type of absorption heat pump (Edmund Altenkirch 1918)1. They differ from conventional heat pumps in that they require little or no external drive energy (such as electricity) to transferheat from a medium temperature level to a high temperature level. In these systems, the heat from the medium temperature level is also used as drive energy . The basic prerequisite for application is therefore that the temperature of the heat source is sufficiently above the ambient temperature. External energy (electricity) is only required (to a small extent) for the process's mechanical circulation pumps.
Absorption heat pumps are related to absorption chillers . Unlike absorption chillers, however, their goal is not to remove heat from a system at temperatures below ambient temperature, but rather to supply heat to a system above ambient temperature by utilizing heat to raise its temperature. Another difference is that absorption heat pumps can be divided into two basic operating modes:
- In Type I absorption heat pumps, heat at a low temperature level (ambient temperature or even above) is “mixed” with a second heat at a significantly higher temperature level, so that heat at a medium temperature is provided.
- In Type II heat pumps, also called heat transformers , heat at a medium temperature is "split" into two heats at high and low temperatures.[1] However, Type II heat pumps currently do not play a significant role in industrial practice.
Absorption heat pumps are also only heat pumps, with the difference that they are not operated directly via current but via heat. If sufficient heat is available as a waste product, it is theoretically worth it (insofar as heat is required even more than the waste product).
These technologies are not to be used for the single- to multi-family house due to the current political agenda under normal conditions.
The only sensible application would be indirectly via a district or near heat network.