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Structural optimization of a coupled liquid storage gas-liquid separator for enhanced heating performance in air source heat pumps

Author

Listed:
  • Ma, Longxia
  • Wang, Fenghao
  • Sun, Yongjun
  • Jiang, Jinghua
  • Wang, Ming
  • Zhang, Sheng
  • Wang, Zhihua
  • Zhang, Pengfei

Abstract

The integration of a liquid storage chamber with a gas-liquid separator in air source heat pumps (ASHPs) enables continuous autonomous heating from the liquid storage chamber to the gas-liquid separator, effectively elevating evaporator temperature and enhancing system performance. To further improve the low-temperature applicability and heating efficiency of ASHPs, this study conducts a structural optimization of the coupled liquid storage gas-liquid separator (LSGLS). A heat transfer model of the LSGLS and a system-level ASHP model are developed, with a genetic algorithm-based optimization framework proposed to maximize system Coefficient of Performance (COP). Key geometric adjustments include enlarging the liquid storage chamber diameter while reducing its height to strengthen thermal energy retention, combined with decreasing the gas-liquid separation chamber (GLSC) diameter and increasing its height to intensify turbulence-driven phase separation. Based on an experimentally validated model, simulations predict that the optimized design achieves a 3.0 W/(m2·°C) improvement in the liquid chamber's heat transfer coefficient (8.39 % heat exchange capacity increase), with system-wide enhancements including 11.3 % higher heating capacity (41.5 kW–46.2 kW) and 14.2 % improved COP (2.95–3.37). These results establish a novel design paradigm for high-efficiency ASHPs, offering a robust solution to enhance heating performance in cold climates and advance sustainable energy transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Longxia & Wang, Fenghao & Sun, Yongjun & Jiang, Jinghua & Wang, Ming & Zhang, Sheng & Wang, Zhihua & Zhang, Pengfei, 2026. "Structural optimization of a coupled liquid storage gas-liquid separator for enhanced heating performance in air source heat pumps," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PE).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pe:s096014812501986x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124322
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ma, Longxia & Sun, Yongjun & Wang, Fenghao & Wang, Ming & Zhang, Sheng & Wang, Zhihua, 2025. "Advancements in anti-frosting and defrosting techniques for air source heat pumps: A comprehensive review of recent progress," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PA).
    2. Hu, Longxiang & Xiong, Tong & Yang, Yuqing & Liu, Guoqiang & Yan, Gang, 2025. "Recent advances in refrigerant circuitry optimization of fin-and-tube heat exchangers for air source heat pump systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    3. Zhang, Shaoliang & Liu, Shuli & Shen, Yongliang & Shukla, Ashish & Mazhar, Abdur Rehman & Chen, Tingsen, 2024. "Critical review of solar-assisted air source heat pump in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    4. Malcher, Xenia & Tenorio-Rodriguez, Francis Catherine & Finkbeiner, Matthias & Gonzalez-Salazar, Miguel, 2025. "Decarbonization of district heating: A systematic review of carbon footprint and key mitigation strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    5. Ma, Jiacheng & Kim, Donghun & Braun, James E. & Horton, W. Travis, 2023. "Development and validation of a dynamic modeling framework for air-source heat pumps under cycling of frosting and reverse-cycle defrosting," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    6. Yue, Naihua & Li, Lingling & Xu, Congbao, 2025. "Multi-objective optimization of a hybrid PVT assisted ground source and air source heat pump system for large space buildings using transient metamodel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
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    1. Zhai, Zhijie & Xiong, Tong & Hu, Longxiang & Liu, Yanfei & Liu, Guoqiang & Yan, Gang, 2026. "Experimental investigation on performance enhancement of an air source heat pump by using a novel vapor bypass approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).

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