AbstractsEngineering

The Heat Pump, as a device to provide low grade heat for conditioning purposes, is generally considered to have been originated by Lord Kelvin and its description was contained in papers presented by him in 1852 (75). The original papers described a system capable of transferring heat from a cold temperature to a higher one. Since air was to be the refrigerant, large volumes were required and his cylinder volume was to be 15.63 cubic feet. Power to drive the unit was to be provided by a steam engine and thus was of little practical use.