IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v344y2026ics0360544225055264.html

An anti-frosting air source heat pump integrated with condensation heat recovery and PCM storage for liquid desiccant regeneration

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Xinyue
  • Yuan, Han
  • Mei, Ning
  • Bai, Yu
  • Yu, Xijun
  • Sun, Yongchao
  • Zhang, Ji
  • Song, Jiatong

Abstract

The operation of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) in low-temperature and high-humidity environments induces frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger surface, which significantly degrades system performance. To improve the operational efficiency and reliability of heat pumps under frosting conditions, this study proposes two novel systems: a phase change material (PCM) thermal storage-assisted electric heating defrosting system and a liquid desiccant-based air heating frost suppression system. Thermodynamic models were developed, and numerical simulations were performed using MATLAB to conduct a comparative analysis of the two systems' thermal performance, economic viability, and sensitivity to operational parameters under typical heating season conditions in Qingdao City. The results demonstrate that the PCM thermal storage-assisted electric heating defrosting system effectively utilizes compressor waste heat, reducing the average electric heating power consumption by 51 % and increasing the system coefficient of performance (COP) by 1 %–45 %. The liquid desiccant frost suppression system significantly inhibits frost formation, enabling completely frost-free operation on 70 % of the heating season days and achieving an average system COP improvement of 9 %. Overall analysis indicates that the liquid desiccant frost suppression system exhibits superior thermal performance. However, economic analysis reveals that the PCM thermal storage-assisted electric heating defrosting system attains a lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Compared to traditional defrosting methods, the proposed systems offer significant advantages in energy efficiency, operational stability, and economic performance, presenting innovative solutions for the application and promotion of ASHPs in low-temperature and high-humidity regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Xinyue & Yuan, Han & Mei, Ning & Bai, Yu & Yu, Xijun & Sun, Yongchao & Zhang, Ji & Song, Jiatong, 2026. "An anti-frosting air source heat pump integrated with condensation heat recovery and PCM storage for liquid desiccant regeneration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:344:y:2026:i:c:s0360544225055264
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139883
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225055264
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.139883?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yaxiu Gu & Guixiang He & Shuaipeng Li & Weiqi Ding & Hanlin Li & Jiahui Duan, 2022. "Study on Frost-Suppression Characteristics of Superhydrophobic Aluminum Surface Heat Exchanger Applied in Air Source Heat Pump," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Amer, Mohammed & Wang, Chi-Chuan, 2017. "Review of defrosting methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 53-74.
    3. Chen, Yuxin & Sun, Yongjun & Yang, Jinling & Tan, Jiaqi & Liu, Yang & Gao, Dian-ce, 2024. "Demand response with PCM-based pipe-embedded wall in commercial buildings: Combined passive and active energy storage in envelopes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    4. Liang, Jierong & Sun, Li & Li, Tingxun, 2018. "A novel defrosting method in gasoline vapor recovery application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 751-765.
    5. Sheng, Wei & Liu, Pengpeng & Dang, Chaobin & Liu, Guixin, 2017. "Review of restraint frost method on cold surface," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 806-813.
    6. Gao, D.C. & Sun, Y.J. & Ma, Z. & Ren, H., 2021. "A review on integration and design of desiccant air-conditioning systems for overall performance improvements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    7. Liang, Chenjiyu & Li, Xianting & Meng, Xiangjun & Shi, Wenxing & Gu, Junqiang & Wang, Baolong & Lv, Yanbo, 2025. "A year-round efficient air source heat pump with separate and distant heat extraction for non-decaying heating capacity during defrosting," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    8. Lyu, Ning & Feng, Guozeng & He, Hui & Liang, Caihua & Zhang, Xiaosong & Wang, Feng & Zhu, Minqiang, 2025. "Impact of ambient temperature and humidity on the performance of a novel anti-frosting air source heat pump system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    9. Islam, M.R. & Alan, S.W.L. & Chua, K.J., 2018. "Studying the heat and mass transfer process of liquid desiccant for dehumidification and cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 334-347.
    10. Zheng, Haikun & Zhang, Dan & Sheng, Wei & Hao, Xiaoru & Chen, Xiaozhuan & Dang, Chaobin & Song, Mengjie, 2024. "An experimental investigation on frosting characteristics and performance of microchannel evaporators with varied aspect ratios," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Jangho & Lee, Cheng-Yi & Muehlbauer, Jan & Hwang, Yunho, 2025. "Advanced defrosting techniques in air source heat pumps: A review of vapor injection, thermal energy storage, and experimental frost accumulation data," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    2. Tang, Rui & Wei, Wenzhe & Wang, Yunfeng & Wang, Wei & Sun, Yuying & Dai, Chuanmin & Luo, Zhouyang & Teng, Weiming & Wei, Shen, 2025. "Frost suppression performance and degradation mitigation strategy of superhydrophobic air source heat pump," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    3. Ikram, Hamid & Ali, Julfikar & Alexander, Aaron & Bach, Christian K., 2025. "Optimal heat pump defrosting strategies for full-cycle capacity and COP maximization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    4. Song, Mengjie & Deng, Shiming & Dang, Chaobin & Mao, Ning & Wang, Zhihua, 2018. "Review on improvement for air source heat pump units during frosting and defrosting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 1150-1170.
    5. Wei, Wenzhe & Guo, Yutao & Wang, Wei & Jiang, Zhike & Zhang, Xinyu & Dai, Chuanmin & Sun, Yuying & Li, Bo & Wang, Shiquan & Zhang, Chunxiao, 2026. "Development of a universal frosting rate prediction model for optimizing the defrosting control strategy of air source heat pumps," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    6. Yi Zhang & Guanmin Zhang & Aiqun Zhang & Yinhan Jin & Ruirui Ru & Maocheng Tian, 2018. "Frosting Phenomenon and Frost-Free Technology of Outdoor Air Heat Exchanger for an Air-Source Heat Pump System in China: An Analysis and Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-36, October.
    7. Suresh, C. & Awasthi, Abhishek & Kumar, Binit & Lee, Hyoungsoon & Jeon, Yongseok, 2026. "Comprehensive review on heat pump systems integrated with phase change material-based thermal energy storage for sustainable building heating," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PA).
    8. Homod, Raad Z. & Mohammed, Hayder I. & Almusaed, Amjad & Mahdi, Jasim M. & Al-Shareeda, Mahmood A. & Rashid, Farhan L. & Hussein, Ahmed K. & Al-Mousawi, Fadhel N. & Albadr, Musatafa A.A. & Togun, Huss, 2026. "Smart buildings envelope utilise triple PCM for offset and reduce peak load using deep clustering of multi-agent control," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    9. Wang, Feng & Liang, Caihua & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2018. "Research of anti-frosting technology in refrigeration and air conditioning fields: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 707-722.
    10. Haiqin Song & Patrick G. Verdin & Jinfeng Zhang, 2024. "Research Developments and Applications of Ice Slurry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-32, October.
    11. Xiao, Xin & Liu, Jinjin, 2024. "A state-of-art review of dew point evaporative cooling technology and integrated applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    12. Badri, Deyae & Toublanc, Cyril & Rouaud, Olivier & Havet, Michel, 2021. "Review on frosting, defrosting and frost management techniques in industrial food freezers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    13. Qin, Chenxi & Liu, Wenjie & Yan, Yuejun & Guan, Quanxue & Wang, Qin, 2025. "Designing personalized incentive-based demand response services based on smart meter data and NSGA-III-DE algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    14. Zhao, Xiaohuan & E, Jiaqiang & Zhang, Zhiqing & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Leng, Erwei & Han, Dandan & Hu, Wenyu, 2020. "A review on heat enhancement in thermal energy conversion and management using Field Synergy Principle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    15. Wen, Tao & Lu, Lin, 2019. "A review of correlations and enhancement approaches for heat and mass transfer in liquid desiccant dehumidification system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 757-784.
    16. Liang, Jierong & Sun, Li & Cheng, Chong & Wang, Kun & Zhu, Tingting & Li, Tingxun, 2024. "Advancing gasoline vapor recovery in oil depots: Integrating cooling and adsorption technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    17. Zahra Azimi Dijvejin & Mandeep Chhajer Jain & Ryan Kozak & Mohammad H. Zarifi & Kevin Golovin, 2022. "Smart low interfacial toughness coatings for on-demand de-icing without melting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    18. Feng, Y.H. & Dai, Y.J. & Wang, R.Z. & Ge, T.S., 2022. "Insights into desiccant-based internally-cooled dehumidification using porous sorbents: From a modeling viewpoint," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    19. Wang, Ye & Zheng, Wenke & Wu, Wentao & Jiang, Yiqiang & Sun, Cheng, 2025. "Experimental research on frost growth in high-temperature environments and implications for energy efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    20. Zhang, Qunli & Li, Yanxin & Zhang, Qiuyue & Ma, Fengge & Lü, Xiaoshu, 2024. "Application of deep dehumidification technology in low-humidity industry: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:344:y:2026:i:c:s0360544225055264. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.