The Absorption-Cycle Heat Pump

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Though solar energy is likely to be one of the most popular heat sources for the new absorption-cycle heat pump, the design is equally well suited to cogeneration systems using waste heat or geothermal heat sources. In fact, any thermal energy source of 300°F or greater will work, though a lower temperature source can be augmented to achieve that temperature.

As noted above, however, it's going to be a few years before the regenerative absorptioncycle heat pump reaches commercial development. After nine years of work, Dao estimates that he and his coworkers still have three to four years of tinkering left before the pumping cycles in the single-effect device are perfected; the concept is proven, but the niggling engineering details are yet to be worked out to the scientists' satisfaction. When they're finished, it's likely that the U.S. government, which finances the project, will license the patents to commercial interests. And then a solar-driven regenerative heat pump could be the choice for efficient home heating and cooling.

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