Hatch Air Source Heat Pump Recip – Low Carbon Heating Systems

Currently, there is a demand for decarbonization projects to eliminate gas and oil heating as a source. The Hatch Hot Water Air Source Heat Pump is specifically designed for these kinds of decarbonization projects.

Hatch Air Source Heat Pump Recip unit

Leaving Water
Temp 180 °F generated from 10 °F ambient temp

Replacement Boiler Projects

Traditional gas and oil boilers, for high rises, hospitals and other institutions, are typically based on 180°F system supply water temperatures. The system loop, radiators and fan/coils are designed for the higher temperatures.

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump Recip HBR offers a number of configurations that are designed to achieve leaving water temperatures up to 180°F from as low as 10°F ambient temp. This way the heat pump is a direct replacement of the boiler.

Traditional heat pumps can only achieve 140°F supply temperatures. Therefore, the entire piping system, radiators and fan coils would also have to be replaced. To compensate for the lower water supply temperatures, the flow rates and radiators have to be increased so total heat capacity is met. Thereby, increasing in the total capital expenditures and extending the return on investment (ROI).

By using the Hatch Air Source Heat Pump, it becomes a boiler replacement project instead of a heating system replacement project. This greatly reduces the amount of capital expenditures, and bring the ROI into the proper range to make the project viable.

HBV model 180°F from 10°F ambient
HWR model 180°F from 10°F ambient

Domestic Hot Water Projects

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump configuration for domestic hot water heating utilizes a double walled heat exchanger. It also uses a control strategy to vary the set point to boosts the water temperature to prevent Legionella. With single pass and stratified tanks the efficiency can be increased by 23%.

Heating / Cooling Project

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump can also be built as a reversing heat pump. Providing both heating and cooling water so that it is utilized through the year.

Heating / Cooling / Domestic Hot Water Project

The reversing Hatch Air Source Heat Pump can also be configured to have a dual glycol loop. At low ambient temperatures both the primary and secondary loop provide heating for the system. Alternately, at high ambient temperatures the primary and secondary loop provide chilled water.
Hatch Air Source Heat Pump wiring panel
During the remainder of the year, the secondary loop which has its own circulation pump is directed to the domestic hot water loop to provide pre-heating. Depending on the location of the project this can be over 85% of the year.

Capacity Control

With the Hatch Air Source Heat Pump HBR550 unit, the capacity generates varies with the ambient temperatures. This will result in the capacity generated higher ambient temperatures being greatly increased. If this is not addressed then it will lead to excessive cycling of the compressor which in turn, will lead to greater fluctuation in the system supply temperature. With the Hatch Air Source Heat Pump it is designed with variable capacity compressors. This way high discharge temperatures can be generated while keeping the compressor running with in proper cooperating conditions.

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump control strategy utilizes a dead band system which will maintain the supply temperature within 2°F. It will unload the stages as the load requires it.

With larger loads multiple units can be used which will give large turn-down capabilities. As well, an extra module can be added to allow for back-up (N+1).

Hatch Air Source Heat Pump capacity control chart

The controllers are available with optional BMS communications like BACnet and Modbus.

Defrost

Hatch Air Source Heat Pump internals

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump utilizes defrost rides imbedded in the air coil. This will eliminate the need for reversing the system in the middle of winter, which would generate chilled water, undoing some of the heating load already generated. This way, the system capacity and COP remains high.

Source temperatures

Different geographical areas allow for different designs and operating conditions. The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump has been designed to operate as low as 10°F (-12°C) and still produce 180°F leaving water. Depending on the requirements different strategies can be utilized to maximize the capacity and COP for these conditions.

The heat pump is also equipped with ambient control so that is can operate from 10 to 120F ambient temperature. Giving it the largest operating range on the market.
Hatch Air Source Heat Pump image from other side

Supply temperatures

A number of different design temperatures can be achieved with the Hatch Air Source Heat Pumps, from 90 to 180°F. It can generate 180°F while operating at 10°F ambient.

Potable water

The Hatch Recip (HBR550) is also available in potable water version. A double walled vented condenser is used so that the potable water can be heated directly. There is no secondary heat exchanger skid needed. It is already included inside the heat pump.

The Capacity Range

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pumps are available from 250 MBH to 540 MBH at 45°F ambient temperature. With the modular unit configuration, controlled by the master controller, the capacity can be increased to 6,500 MBH (12 modules).

Elec Trim and Back-up Heat

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump has an option back up heat. It is integral with the heat pump so that no external or secondary elec power connection is needed. The heater is 0-100% variable capacity so that it will trim up the BTUs generated at low ambient temperature to produce a flat capacity line over the ambient range. It works in conjunction with the BIN hours resulting in a very low change in overall COP.
Hatch Air Source Heat Pump internals

Secondly it can be used to recharged the storage tanks during the night to make the full storage tank available at full temperature to counteract tank temperature loss.

Built-in pump

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump has a built-in circulating pump. It is controlled in conjunction with load demand and the compressor. This way it does not dilute the stratified tank temperatures. The built in pump also means less installation cost. The pump is available at standard and high external pressure.

Heat Tracing

For potable water application the Hatch Air Source Heat Pump has a heat tracing option. It is applied to all wetted parts internal to the machine and is further insulated. The heat tracing has a separate connection box. This allows users to connect their back up power system. Ensuring the heat tracing is functional at a power outage.

Foot Print

The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump lends itself to projects located in mid-density and high-density locations such as institutional buildings or high-rise buildings. The Hatch Air Source Heat Pump can be located on roofs, side yards, etc. It does not require large foot prints as utilized by other types such as ground source heat pumps.