Burner System Development for a Gas-Fired Absorption Heat Pump

This paper describes the design and testing of a burner system for a natural-gas-fired absorption heat pump. The absorption heat pump, under development for the Gas Research Institute, is a modular device intended to provide both heating and cooling for residential and small commercial applications. The subject burner system remains under active development at the time of writing. Accordingly, this paper summarizes the development process from conceptualization through experimental evaluation of a second generation prototype. Design criteria and the processes by which major components were selected are described. The criterion of primary interest to date, a steady-state thermal efficiency goal of 85 percent, has been achieved in tests documented herein. Th.s paper includes efficiency data as well as stack and jacket losses for first- and second-generation prototypes. Future tests to determine transient behavior and suitability for outdoor operation are also described.