The performance of a vapor compression heat pump with desorber- absorber heat exchange (DAHX) is being studied experimentally. This cycle is the result of further development of the two-stage concept currently under investigation with NSF support. The DAHX- cycle offers surprising features, such as extremely low pressure ratios and a simple layout compared to its competitors. It is especially advantageous that the proposed cycle requires less components and heat exchange area than the two-stage version currently investigated, achieving an even larger reduction in pressure ratio. However, as a consequence of the simplification, the operating characteristics show less flexibility. This two-stage version is most likely to be used in high temperature lift industrial settings. The DAHX-cycle is useful for almost any heat pumping, refrigeration and air-conditioning situation, when large temperature glides and small lifts are encountered. A variation of the DAHX-cycle within a vapor compression system, as it is proposed here, has never been built before. It is anticipated that the study of this cycle will reveal interesting features and operational experience that will allow for more creative and efficient vapor compression and combined absorption/vapor compression heat pumps in the future. The DAHX- cycle is expected to be easily tailored and optimized for a given application.
