Dual output heat pumps

Abstract

An example of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a refrigerant inlet to receive a refrigerant as a vapor. The apparatus also includes a heat exchanger to absorb heat from the vapor to form a liquid. The apparatus further includes a refrigerant outlet to release the liquid. In addition, the apparatus includes a fluid inlet to receive air proximate to the cold portion of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger separates the air from the refrigerant. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a first fluid outlet proximate to the warm portion of the heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes a second fluid outlet proximate to the hot portion of the heat exchanger. The air flows in an opposite direction than the refrigerant, and the heat exchanger provides thermal contact between the air and the refrigerant.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a refrigerant inlet to receive a refrigerant as a vapor;   a heat exchanger to absorb heat from the vapor to form a liquid, wherein the heat exchanger includes a hot portion in contact with the vapor, a warm portion in contact with a mixture of the vapor and the liquid, and a cold portion in contact with the liquid;   a refrigerant outlet to release the liquid;   a fluid inlet to receive air proximate to the cold portion of the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger separates the air from the refrigerant;   a first fluid outlet proximate to the warm portion of the heat exchanger; and   a second fluid outlet proximate to the hot portion of the heat exchanger, wherein the air flows in an opposite direction than the refrigerant, and wherein the heat exchanger provides thermal contact between the air and the refrigerant.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid outlet is to supply warm air for space heating. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the warm air is about 30 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid outlet is to supply hot air for an application. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the warm air is about 50 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a damper system to control air flow to the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the damper system includes a first damper disposed at the first fluid outlet and a second damper disposed at the second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan to move the air from the fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an air exchanger to heat the air prior to entering the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a closed refrigerant circuit to circulate refrigerant;   an evaporator disposed on the closed refrigerant circuit to add heat to the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant transitions from a liquid to a vapor therein;   a compressor disposed on the closed refrigerant circuit to receive the vapor and to compress the vapor;   a heat exchange system to receive the vapor, wherein the heat exchange system absorbs heat from the vapor to form a liquid;   a first heat supply from the heat exchange system to provide low temperature heating; and   a second heat supply from the heat exchange system to provide high temperature heating.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchange system includes a hot portion to receive heat from the refrigerant in a vapor form, and wherein the heat exchange system includes a warm portion to receive heat from the refrigerant in a mixture form. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first heat supply receives heat from the hot portion, and wherein the second heat supply receives heat from the warm portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising an air intake to receive air, wherein a first portion of the air is heated to a first temperature by the first heat supply, and wherein a second portion of the air is heated to a second temperature by the second heat supply. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second temperature is about 50 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a damper system to control a ratio between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a fan to move the air through the heat exchange system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising an air exchanger to heat the air prior to entering the heat exchange system. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 receiving a refrigerant as a vapor via a refrigerant inlet;   receiving air via a fluid inlet;   removing heat from the vapor to the air to form a liquid-vapor mixture in a hot portion of a heat exchanger;   removing heat from the liquid-vapor to the air to form a liquid in a warm portion of the heat exchanger;   passing the air through the warm portion to heat the air to a first temperature;   supplying a first portion of the air at the first temperature;   passing a second portion of the air through the hot portion to heat the second portion to a second temperature; and   supplying the second portion of the air at the second temperature.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising controlling a ratio between the first portion and the second portion with a damper system.