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Data-driven compressor performance maps and cost correlations for small-scale heat-pumping applications

Author

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  • Olympios, Andreas V.
  • Song, Jian
  • Ziolkowski, Aleksander
  • Shanmugam, Vethalingam S.
  • Markides, Christos N.

Abstract

The performance of vapour-compression heat pumps depends crucially upon compressor selection and design. In this work, a unified modelling framework is developed to enable technoeconomic comparisons of compressors intended for small-scale heating applications (<30 kWth). Published information on 120 commercially available compressors is analysed and used to develop performance maps that predict isentropic efficiency over a wide range of working conditions. Additionally, cost correlations are established to predict price as a function of nominal compressor inlet volumetric flowrate. When rotary-vane compressors are an available option (i.e., for inlet volumetric flowrates up to 5 ∙ 10−3 m3/s), they consistently achieve a high isentropic efficiency (∼70 %) for the investigated pressure ratios (1.5–9.5). Scroll compressors have an even higher isentropic efficiency (∼75 %) at pressure ratios below 5.5, but this drops to 50 % at higher pressure ratios, while the isentropic efficiency of reciprocating-piston compressors is best (∼75 %) at higher pressure ratios (5.5–7.5). Utilising an air-source heat pump model, the compressor types are compared for countries with different weather characteristics and electricity prices. Rotary-vane compressors are associated with the lowest levelised cost of heat, but the comparison largely depends on location and heating requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Olympios, Andreas V. & Song, Jian & Ziolkowski, Aleksander & Shanmugam, Vethalingam S. & Markides, Christos N., 2024. "Data-driven compressor performance maps and cost correlations for small-scale heat-pumping applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:291:y:2024:i:c:s036054422303565x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.130171
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Olympios, Andreas V. & Kourougianni, Fanourios & Arsalis, Alexandros & Papanastasiou, Panos & Pantaleo, Antonio M. & Markides, Christos N. & Georghiou, George E., 2024. "A holistic framework for the optimal design and operation of electricity, heating, cooling and hydrogen technologies in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 370(C).
    2. Cholewa, Tomasz & Bejan, Andrei-Stelian & Miara, Marek & Schauer, Christian & Kosonen, Risto & Borodiņecs, Anatolijs & Bogdanovičs, Raimonds & Amanowicz, Łukasz & Vering, Christian & Siuta-Olcha, Alic, 2025. "Critical discussion on the challenges of integrating heat pumps in hydronic systems in existing buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    3. Yuan, Wei & Lu, Xiangwu & Feng, Xueheng & Zhang, Qian & Zhang, Lei, 2026. "Influence of inlet distortion on stall inception in supercritical CO2 compressor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    4. Aunedi, Marko & Olympios, Andreas V. & Pantaleo, Antonio M. & Mersch, Matthias & Markides, Christos N., 2025. "System-level techno-economic comparison of residential low-carbon heating and cooling solutions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    5. Mouaky Ammar, 2025. "Techno-Economic Comparison of Renewable Energy-Driven Cooling Systems for Food Preservation in a Nigerian Farm," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 636-655.
    6. Kapela, Natalia & Jójka, Joanna, 2025. "Numerical study of the efficiency of an axial compressor rotor operating at low Reynolds numbers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    7. Mersch, Matthias & Sapin, Paul & Corbett, Hannah C. & Utting, Macey & Mac Dowell, Niall & Markides, Christos N., 2025. "Household and whole-system assessments of distributed heat pump deployment for domestic heat decarbonisation in the UK," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(C).

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