Research on Heat Pumps in Mexico Operating on Geothermal and Waste Energy as Heat Source

Abstract

Research and development work on heat pumps has been carried out in the past by the Instituto de Investigaciones Electricas and Comision Federal de Electricidad. Systems tested include mechanical compression, absorption and heat transformer heat pumps. This paper describes briefly the main research work and developments on heat pumps carried out in Mexico in general, and a description is given in more detail about three main systems: (a) a water-to-water mechanical heat pump which commissioned for brine purification operating on low-pressure geothermal steam in the Los Azufres geothermal field; (b) an ammonia/water absorption heat pump operating on low-enthalpy geothermal energy used for cooling and refrigeration purposes which was tested in the Los Azufres and the Cerro Prieto geothermal fields, and (c) an absorption heat transformer - the so-called absorption heat pump type 2 – tested extensively to evaluate the performance of ternary solutions as working fluids. Plans are underway to install and test a ground-coupled (geothermal) heat pump in the Cerro Prieto or Mexicali areas.