The LC R290 Project
In the project “LC R290 - Low charge HP solutions”, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE plans to develop easily applicable and reproducible solutions for the replacement of gas and oil heating systems in existing multi-family houses.
The housing industry needs standardized heat pump solutions for the replacement of gas and oil heating systems for all applications. Together with the heating industry, the housing industry and hydraulics experts, the Fraunhofer ISE intends to develop heat pump solutions for three fields of application:
-> floor heating systems
-> central heating systems installed indoors
-> higher performance classes for externally installed heat pumps
All heat pumps to be developed use the natural and climate-friendly refrigerant propane (R290).
In the previous project LC150 it was already proven that a heating capacity of 7 to 10 kilowatts can be achieved with less than 150 grams of the refrigerant propane. In the new “LC R290” project, these findings will be expanded with storage and source concepts suitable for this purpose, thus providing a solution for floor heating systems. In addition, solutions for the connection to the hydraulic and source system as well as suitable control approaches will be developed and demonstrated in the laboratory.
For the replacement of the central heating in the basement, heat pumps with a larger capacity are to be developed. Here, results from the “LC150” project will be used to transfer refrigerant reduction to larger capacities. In addition, concepts for interconnection and control of multiple heat pumps will be investigated and widely implementable safety concepts will be identified and tested.
Externally installed heat pumps of higher capacity are also optimized with a focus on refrigerant reduction and defrosting and evaluated by standardized safety tests. The goal is to be able to implement larger capacities with the same footprint and safety zone through refrigerant reduction and improved defrosting to facilitate use in urban areas.
The development is being driven with the help of a platform project, accompanied by an advisory board. Through direct communication between several heat pump manufacturers and the housing industry, solutions can be developed in a practical manner and implemented more quickly.
The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
© Fraunhofer ISE
LC R290: Focus on three areas of application.
© Fraunhofer ISE
The framework of the LC R290 project.