A new HVAC system based on cogeneration by an IC engine

A new HVAC system is proposed and studied. The plant is equipped with a reciprocating i.c. gas engine which produces electric energy with heat recovery from the jacket water heat and the exhaust. The electric energy serves the lighting and emf for the building and individual room reversible air-water heat pumps that mainly satisfy sensible cooling and a fraction of the winter heating load. An open-cycle absorption system, which treats the primary air, meets the summer latent load and year round ventilation requirements. In winter, the system operates as an open-cycle heat pump. The regeneration of the sorbent is obtained by the i.c. engine heat recovery. The proposed system is analysed by comparing its performance with a traditional plant, both in summer and winter mode. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd