A note from Geoff Alder…

I have posted this file for RACA readers who have

been following the “Our Industry” series on the
pressure enthalpy diagram.
In the RACA March 2007 issue, we discussed heat
pumps. I invited interested readers to visit my
Website to download this file, which is intended to
explain a common arrangement of change-over
system as may be used for heat pump application.

The graphics have been kept very basic to permit operation on

any version (I hope)! of PowerPoint.
Here is an example of the valve type we have in mind…

Pilot valve

Solenoid coil
4-way valve.
In the animations that follow,
ORANGE signifies high pressure hot gas.
GREEN signifies low pressure suction vapour.
To open our discussion, here is an
animation of the pilot valve in operation…

Pilot valve

These are the small pilot lines.

 HOT
4 – WAY VALVE IN OPERATION
ASG

Incomers from pilot valve.

SUCT
ION

4-way valve.
Study the next two slides to see the full
circuitry of a typical system for
summer and winter operation.
SUMMER OPERATION
Heat is rejected
4-way valve

Cooling being provided

WINTER OPERATION
Cold air is discarded
4-way valve has now been switched.

Heating being provided

There will be some form of check valve

change-over arrangement to alter
capillary or restrictor characteristics to
match for heating operation.
The following is the pressure enthalpy
diagram from the article, which is the
reason for this presentation.
 This ends our mini-presentation.

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I hope you found it useful!