Heat pump
A heat pump is a system that can be used to make hot water (optimally maximum 45°C). There are 2 possible types of heat pumps:
- Air / water heat pump: the heat pump draws energy from outside air for making hot water ( Ideal 45°C , maximum 55°C )
- Water / water heat pump: the heat pump draws energy from water (eg groundwater or process water from an air washer) for making hot water (Ideal 45°C, maximum 55°C)
The efficiency of a heat pump is expressed in the COP value (Coefficient of Performance). The COP coefficient indicates how much electrical energy is needed to generate thermal energy. With a COP of 4, for example, this means that 1 kWh of electricity is needed to generate 4 kWh of heat.
The COP of a heat pump generally increases when the temperature of the medium from which the energy is extracted becomes shorter than the temperature to be made on the other side of the heat pump. For example, when energy is extracted from groundwater (Temperature 11°C) at a water / water heat pump and water heat is made from 45°C, the net COP is approx. 4. When the temperature of the source, where the energy is withdrawn, becomes higher (eg process water from an air washer: Temperature 18°C) then the net COP rises to 5. This is the reason why an air washer is extremely interesting as a source of energy for a heat pump: energy is available all year round from a high temperature level.
To make modern stables gasless, a heat pump is an ideal solution for post-heating. When the underfloor heating and the post-heating installation are specified at a maximum water temperature of 45°C, a heat pump can take over the entire heating. A good dimensioning of the delivery and transport system is crucial here. Inno+ is a top specialist in dimensioning air washers, heat pumps and associated heating installations. The heat pump can additionally be used to make hot water for heating and fermenting feed, and warm cleaning stables. We can dimension and deliver the entire installation for you (in cooperation with our dealers).
When a heat pump installation is well dimensioned, this leads to a heating cost saving of at least 50-60% compared to a gas-fired installations.
Cooling
In addition to the fact that a heat pump can be used for heating, it can also be used for cooling. A number of applications where Inno+ uses the heat pump (called cooling machine):
- Extracting energy from dense floors (cooling) for lowering the comfort temperature of the animals, using the warm water that also arises for heating (so a duo system)
- Use the cooling machine for cooling the incoming air in maternity stables and breeding stalls (in combination with solar panels on the roof the most efficient way of cooling on a sow farm)
With a cooling machine cold water can be made from 10°C for cooling the incoming air.
Cooling machines are also available in 2 types:
- Air / water chiller: the chiller makes cold water at 10°C, the extracted energy is then transferred to the outside air via a fan and ‘destroyed’ in the outside air. This is analogous to the principle of an air conditioning unit where the outdoor unit destroys the energy. With 1 kWh of electricity, around 2.7 kW of cooling energy can be produced.
- Water / water cooling machine: the cooling machine makes cold water from 10°C, the hot water is destroyed in the air washer. The air washer acts as a “cooling tower” in this concept. With 1 kWh of electricity, around 5.5 kW of cooling energy can be produced.
The cold water produced at 10°C is sent to the air / water heat exchangers in the incoming air where the incoming air is cooled from 35°C to 18°C.
There are machines available that are suitable for:
- Heating only
- Heating and cooling
- Cooling only
Inno+ can design and build the most optimal heating and cooling solution for your specific requirements.
Interested? Get in touch with us!
