Samsung Electronics is developing next-generation heat pump technology that operates reliably in temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technology for cold climates, targeting the North American and Northern European markets where electrification of heating is gaining traction.
On August 9, Samsung announced its joint research with Oak Ridge on 'cold climate vapor compression heating and multi-solution development.' The goal is to secure technology that can provide stable heating and hot water using a single compressor in temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius.
The core technology involves vapor compression used in heat pumps, where refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside, compresses it to a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and then transfers it to indoor air or water. This method is considered essential for the electrification of heating as it moves external heat without directly burning fuel.
However, a significant challenge is that as external temperatures drop, the amount of heat the refrigerant can absorb decreases, leading to reduced heating performance and efficiency. In the northern regions of North America and Northern Europe, ensuring performance in extremely low temperatures is a key technical challenge for expanding the heat pump market.
To address this limitation, Samsung plans to apply a rotary scroll method in the compressor. This design features two interlocking scrolls that compress the refrigerant, focusing on reducing energy loss and enhancing stability during prolonged operation.
Samsung will also implement 'flash injection' technology to control the refrigerant amount. This method injects additional refrigerant when the compressor temperature rises due to extended heating, preventing overheating and maintaining heating performance.
Since 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy has been promoting the 'Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge,' supporting the development and field testing of products that can maintain heating capacity and energy efficiency in low-temperature environments.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has also been continuously researching cold climate heat pump technology. In a study released this year, they tested a heat pump using vapor injection technology in Alaska's -34 degrees Celsius environment, confirming stable operational performance.
Samsung plans to conduct joint research until mid-2027, followed by field testing in Fairbanks, Alaska. This testing will validate heating performance, energy efficiency, long-term operational stability, and hot water supply performance under conditions similar to actual residential environments.
Lim Sung-taek, Vice President of Samsung Electronics' DA Division, stated, 'This will be an opportunity to prove high-efficiency technology and device reliability in real extreme cold environments. Based on the research data, we will introduce heat pump products that enhance performance and energy efficiency while reducing carbon emissions to the global market.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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