Refrigerants Used in Industrial Heat Pumps in the Future
Reinvall, Johanna (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202403184630
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202403184630
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this thesis was to study potential opportunities in the industrial heat pump market. More specifically, to find out what refrigerants will be used in industrial scale heat pumps in the future. Heat pump market is growing, and sustainable solutions are of increasing interest. It is important for Vahterus also to know where the market is heading to match the customer requirements. The study resulted with two different scenarios of the future.
The thesis introduces industrial scale heat pumps and provides an overview on design aspects and available technology on the market. Different types of refrigerants are introduced to the reader. Review of current legislation and regulation aspects affecting refrigerants are presented as a part of this study. Reader gets a basic understanding of the technology, market, and state of the industry.
Future studies section concentrated on scenario building. From futurology techniques, PESTE, futures table and scenario work were used. In addition to the general overview of the industry and factors affecting selection of the refrigerant, industry professionals were interviewed to get their outlook on the current state and possible future.
The outcome of the future studies was two scenarios for possible future, naturals only and natural and new synthetic refrigerants. Naturals only would lean towards complete phase out of synthetic refrigerants. Natural and new synthetic refrigerants would assume new development for synthetic refrigerants to be accepted in the market. Futurology is not an exact science and will not result to one absolute. Notable is also, that scenarios are not forecasts, they are alternative states of the future, which are all possible.
The thesis introduces industrial scale heat pumps and provides an overview on design aspects and available technology on the market. Different types of refrigerants are introduced to the reader. Review of current legislation and regulation aspects affecting refrigerants are presented as a part of this study. Reader gets a basic understanding of the technology, market, and state of the industry.
Future studies section concentrated on scenario building. From futurology techniques, PESTE, futures table and scenario work were used. In addition to the general overview of the industry and factors affecting selection of the refrigerant, industry professionals were interviewed to get their outlook on the current state and possible future.
The outcome of the future studies was two scenarios for possible future, naturals only and natural and new synthetic refrigerants. Naturals only would lean towards complete phase out of synthetic refrigerants. Natural and new synthetic refrigerants would assume new development for synthetic refrigerants to be accepted in the market. Futurology is not an exact science and will not result to one absolute. Notable is also, that scenarios are not forecasts, they are alternative states of the future, which are all possible.