New Module "Heat Pump Systems Engineering" for the winter semester

 

To prepare future engineers for the challenges in the context of heat pumps in energy systems, the Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate offers the module Heat Pump System Engineering for students in the Master's programme.

To reduce climate impacts through the sustainable provision of heating and cooling, the heat pump is a promising alternative compared to conventional technologies. In all sectors, the heat pump will therefore play a key role for low-emission heating and cooling purposes. In the building sector, in industry or in mobile applications, the heat pump is a sustainable and efficient energy conversion machine and is already being used successfully in various applications. For the consistent realisation of the heat transition, however, the heat pump must increasingly be used in all sectors and replace conventional technologies.

Upon completion of the module, the students will know the essential levels of heat pump systems from working fluid to energy system with regard to design and operation. This essentially includes the thermodynamic basics of heat pump system technology as well as the necessary steps for technical integration into an overall system. In addition to building applications, industrial applications and mobile applications are also covered.

In order to achieve the climate targets as quickly as possible by replacing conventional technologies, one focus of the lecture is on accelerating development times through model-based development processes. For this purpose, the basics of model development and the experimental validation of modelling approaches are discussed. Control methods from the refrigeration cycle controller to the entire system control are also presented. In the exercises, potentials through the optimisation of process control and the modification of the working fluid are discussed. For the evaluation of heat pump systems from refrigerant to system controller, key figures are developed with reference to the three dimensions of sustainability: Economy, Ecology and Social.

The module is rounded off with exciting insights into practice through lectures from industry and research as well as with visits to test benches during an excursion. The module offers a comprehensive insight into the current state of technology and research in heat pump system technology and provides students with the necessary tools to work and research in the field.