Application Analysis of Surface Water Source Heat Pump System
**Abstract:** The research and development base covers a total area of 95,000 square meters. It serves multiple functions including scientific research, development, storage, office spaces, and experimental housing. Based on the site conditions and recommendations from hospital authorities, and considering environmental protection standards, it is proposed to implement a surface water source heat pump system for heating and cooling purposes.
**Keywords:** water source heat pump, surface water, temperature change, cooling and heating capacity
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**1. Project Overview**
The research and development base is located in Tongzhou District, Beijing, on a site of approximately 580 acres. About 150 acres are occupied by waste pit ponds used for water production. The total construction area is 95,000 square meters, with the main functions being scientific research, development, storage, office buildings, and experimental housing. The distribution includes: 100,000 square meters for research and development, 3,000 square meters for experimental residential buildings, 740,000 square meters for public facilities, and 220,000 square meters for municipal areas. Due to environmental considerations, a surface water source heat pump system is suggested for heating and cooling.
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**2. Feasibility of Using Surface Water Source Heat Pump System**
Surface water source heat pump systems utilize surface water as a thermal source for heating and cooling. These systems are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, making them widely adopted both domestically and internationally.
However, surface water can be contaminated with impurities like sediment and algae. It also has high oxygen content and is corrosive. Direct use of surface water in heat pumps may lead to reduced lifespan, fouling, and performance issues. To prevent this, surface water should be separated from the heat pump unit via a heat exchanger. This allows for a small temperature difference and the use of cost-effective heat exchangers, protecting the more expensive heat pump units.
In cases where surface water temperature or flow is insufficient, auxiliary equipment such as boilers in winter or cooling towers in summer can be used to supplement the system. For example, in summer, the average surface water temperature in Beijing is around 25–27°C. With a 5°C temperature difference across the heat exchanger, the heat pump's inlet temperature would not exceed 32°C, ensuring efficient operation.
In winter, the surface water temperature is typically about 4°C. Considering a 2°C temperature difference, the heat pump’s inlet temperature would not exceed 2°C. Antifreeze may be needed in the circulating water to prevent freezing. Under these conditions, the COP (Coefficient of Performance) of the heat pump is between 2 and 3, which is still more efficient than conventional heating methods, especially when surface water is available.
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**3. Hot and Cold Load Estimation and Water Flow Feasibility**
Based on standard climatic data for Beijing, the outdoor air conditioning parameters include an average annual temperature of 11.4°C, a winter dry bulb temperature of -12°C, and a summer dry bulb temperature of 33.2°C. The indoor design temperatures are set at 25–27°C for summer and 18–20°C for winter.
The estimated cooling load is about 100 W/m², and the heating load is approximately 50 W/m². For the first phase of 100,000 m² with a simultaneous use coefficient of 0.9, the total cooling load is 9,000 kW and the heating load is 4,500 kW. Assuming a COP of 4.3 for cooling and 2.6 for heating, the heat extracted from surface water during cooling is 11,093 kW, and the heat supplied during heating is 2,769 kW.
With a reservoir volume of 3.5 × 10ⵠm³ and a daily cooling operation of 12 hours, the temperature rise in the water body is minimal (about 0.33°C). Similarly, during winter, the temperature drop is only 0.23°C, indicating that the water body can effectively support the system without significant temperature fluctuations.
In extreme cases where the water temperature is too low, a gas-fired boiler can be used as an auxiliary heat source to maintain system efficiency.
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**4. Environmental Impact of the Water Source Heat Pump System**
The surface water source heat pump system operates by extracting and converting heat from surface water. Throughout the process, no chemical treatment is applied; only physical treatments such as filtration and sedimentation are used. This ensures that the composition of the water remains unchanged, preventing pollution of the local water bodies.
As long as the system is designed and operated properly, it will not have a negative impact on the environment. The system is sustainable and aligns with green building principles.
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**5. Technical and Economic Analysis**
**5.1 Summer Operation**
During summer, the surface water source heat pump system operates similarly to a traditional water-cooled chiller system. However, instead of using a cooling tower, it relies on the reservoir for cooling. This reduces initial investment costs by eliminating the need for a cooling tower.
While the COP of the system may be slightly higher than that of a cooling tower system, the operating cost savings are not substantial. The overall efficiency is comparable.
**5.2 Winter Operation**
For winter heating, the system’s operating cost is compared to a gas boiler + radiator system. Based on the calculated data, the operating cost of the surface water source heat pump system is approximately 22.1 yuan/m² per heating season, significantly lower than the 35 yuan/m² for the gas boiler system. This results in an annual saving of about 1,882,000 yuan.
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**6. Conclusion and Recommendations**
- A surface water source heat pump system is feasible under current conditions, with only physical treatment required.
- Proper system design ensures minimal environmental impact.
- In extreme winter conditions, a gas boiler can serve as an auxiliary heat source to ensure stable heating.
- The system offers significant cost savings compared to traditional heating methods, making it a viable and economical choice for the project.
**References**
Xu Wei et al., *Ground Source Heat Pump Engineering Technical Guide*, Beijing: China Building Industry Press, 2001
Lu Yaqing, *Practical Handbook for Design of Heating and Air-conditioning*, Beijing: China Building Industry Press, 1994
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