Evaluation of a single stage heat pump performance by figure of merit (FOM)

Abstract

© 2020 This paper proposes a quick method to investigate coefficient of performance (COP) of vapor compression heat pump from a dimensionless term, Figure of Merit (FOM), which covers refrigerant properties and operating temperatures as [Formula presented]. Twelve pure refrigerants including low global warming and natural refrigerants were studied. It could be seen that FOM could be used to screen out the refrigerants those give high COP at the same operating temperature. Lower the FOM gave higher the COP. Two empirical correlations for heating and cooling applications were developed to predict the COP from the FOM. The results of the COPs from the model agreed very well with the available experimental data from the literatures of which the performance calculated from enthalpies of the working fluids.