Research and development on heat pump systems in Mexico using geothermal energy

Abstract Extensive research and development work on heat pumps operating on geothermal and waste energy has been carried out by Instituto de Investigaciones Electricas, Mexico. Systems include (i) mechanical compression; (ii) absorption – one- and two-stage and double absorption; (iii) heat transformers, and (iv) hybrid, heat pump systems. Specific work and results are described on three applications: (a) a mechanical compression heat pump commissioned for brine purification and operating on low-pressure geothermal steam in Los Azufres geothermal field; (b) a cooling and refrigeration ammonia/water absorption heat pump operating on low-enthalpy geothermal energy and tested in Los Azufres and Cerro Prieto geothermal fields, and (c) an absorption heat transformer tested extensively to evaluate the performance of ternary solutions as working fluids.