värmepumpsprocessen

The heat pump process, or värmepumpsprocessen in Swedish, describes the principle by which heat pumps operate to transfer thermal energy from one location to another. This transfer is achieved through a thermodynamic cycle that involves a refrigerant. The fundamental idea is to move heat from a lower temperature source to a higher temperature sink, effectively cooling the source and heating the sink.

The cycle typically begins with the refrigerant in a liquid state at low pressure. This liquid is then evaporated in an evaporator, absorbing heat from the surrounding environment. This environmental source can be air, ground, or water. As the refrigerant absorbs heat, it turns into a gas. The gaseous refrigerant is then compressed by a compressor, which significantly increases its pressure and temperature.

Following compression, the hot, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows into a condenser. Here, it releases its heat to the warmer medium, such as the heating system of a building. As the refrigerant loses heat, it condenses back into a liquid. Finally, the liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, where its pressure and temperature are reduced, preparing it to re-enter the evaporator and begin the cycle anew. This continuous cycle allows for efficient heating and cooling by moving existing heat rather than generating it from scratch.