Quantum Solar-Boosted Heat Pump Water Heater

Introduction

A hot water system that is almost twice as efficient as conventional solar water heaters and is able to save upto 75% on energy costs. The Quantum Solar-Boosted Heat Pump hot water heater works on the principle of a refrigeration circuit, drawing heat out of one space and discharging it into another. In this case, the heat is drawn from the atmosphere and conveyed to the water storage tank. A heat pump has two heat exchangers (an evaporator and a condenser) and a compressor which drive the whole process. The evaporator absorbs heat energy from the sun, wind, rain and the air to vaporise the very low temperature refrigerant flowing through the system. This is then compressed, raising the vapours pressure and temperature. The high temperature vapour is passed through pipes bonded to the outside of the storage tank and heats the water within the tank.

The system is so efficient that no gas or electric booster is needed, unlike flat plate solar water heaters, which require a back-up to ensure hot water is available on demand. The collector panel does not need to be facing to the north to collect maximum sunshine because heat energy is extracted from other sources as well as sunlight. Infact, the Quantum water heater even works at night. The low energy consumption, efficiency, simplicity, low maintenance requirements and long life make the Quantum Solar-Boosted Heat Pump hot water heater ideal for all domestic and commercial applications anywhere in the world. The hot water heater market in Australia exceeds 500 000 units a year, of which only 5% are regarded as energy efficient.

The worldwide market is likely to require upwards of 5 million water heaters each year. There is an ideal business opportunity for joint venture partnerships with Quantum because the technology is easily transported, and the manufacture of the finished product does not require high levels of capital investment. Facilities using this Quantum technology are already in place in Asia, Italy and New Zealand. Several prestigious industry awards have been received by Quantum for the innovative design of their water heater including the 1988 National Energy Innovation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation Energy Production R&D.

Energy, water management

• Runs on non-conventional energy
• Innovative technology already commercialised
• Low investment
• Not available

Main Application: Energy

Contact:

Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises
APCTT Building, Qutub Institutional Area
P.O. Box – 4575
New Delhi – 110016, India
Tel.: 91—26864501, 26856276, 2696619/521
Fax : 91-11-26856274
E-mail : tbse@apctt.org