Ground Source Heat Pump Operating Principle - Oilon GT 5 Operation Manual

1.4. Ground source heat pump operating principle

A ground source heat pump is a device that uses heat energy from the Sun that is
absorbed into Earth's surface.
A
RE15 ver. 2
1. Evaporator
2. Compressor
3. Condenser
4. Expansion valve
There are three closed circuits running within, or through, the heat pump:
● brine circuit
● refrigerant circuit
● heating circuit.
The heat pump's operation is based on the vaporisation and condensation of the
refrigerant circulating within the heat pump.
The brine circuit is a circuit for collecting heat energy from the ground. When the brine
enters to the circuit at the evaporator, it is very cold. As it travels along the circuit, it
collects heat energy from the ground or water, which causes the brine temperature
to rise. The brine completes its circuit by returning to the evaporator and releasing
the heat energy into the refrigerant, which circulates between the evaporator and the
condenser.
When the refrigerant is in the condenser, it is colder than the brine, so the heat
energy transfer from brine into refrigerant can take place. The heat transfer raises the
temperature of the refrigerant up to the point where it becomes gaseous.
The gaseous refrigerant is then led into a compressor, which compresses it into a
high pressure. As the pressure of the gaseous refrigerant increases, so does its
temperature.
GT02 1408 EN
B
A. Brine circuit
B. Refrigerant circuit
C. Heating circuit
C
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