Heat pumps are a promising technology for reducing carbon emissions in the heating and cooling sector. They work by transferring heat from a source to a destination, without the need to burn fossil fuels, which can save energy and reduce emissions.
One potential way to improve the efficiency of heat pumps is to use helium as a refrigerant. Helium is a very light gas, which makes it ideal for heat pumps because it can circulate more easily through the system. This can improve the performance of the heat pump and reduce the amount of energy it consumes.
In addition, helium is a non-flammable and non-toxic gas, which makes it safer to use than some other refrigerants. This is an important consideration for heat pumps, which are often installed in homes and businesses.
Researchers in Europe are currently investigating the use of helium in heat pumps. They have found that helium-powered heat pumps can be up to 30% more efficient than traditional heat pumps. This could lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions in the heating and cooling sector.
There are several reasons why helium is a good choice for refrigerants in heat pumps. First, helium has a very low boiling point, which means that it can absorb and release heat at a wider range of temperatures than other refrigerants. This makes it more efficient for transferring heat between different sources and destinations.
Helium is also a very good conductor of heat, which also contributes to its efficiency, and helium is a non-toxic and non-flammable gas, which makes it safe to use in heat pumps.
The use of helium in heat pumps is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to be a major breakthrough in the fight against climate change. If helium-powered heat pumps can be successfully commercialized, they could help to decarbonize the heating and cooling sector and make a significant contribution to global emissions reduction goals.
Unfortunately Helium is a biproduct from natural gas production. It’s very difficult to leave fossil fuels behind as well as the cycle of heating in domestic settings is very different from High Temp commercial uses eg use of co2 in domestic applications.