Heat pump apparatus module

Abstract

A heat pump apparatus module for heating and/or cooling supply water, the heat pump apparatus module including: an apparatus housing at least partly provided with an outer wall; a heat pump arrangement including a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor arranged between said condenser and said evaporator, said compressor configured to transfer a heat transferring medium from said evaporator to said condenser; wherein said heat pump apparatus module is divided into at least two separate compartments being: an air-flow compartment including a first heat pump component being either the condenser or the evaporator, and being configured to allow air to flow through said air-flow compartment, said first heat pump component configured to utilize said air for heating or cooling said heat transferring medium; a first closeable compartment being accessible through a first closeable opening.

Claims

1. A heat pump apparatus module for heating and/or cooling supply water, said heat pump apparatus module comprising: an apparatus housing being at least partly provided with an outer wall; a heat pump arrangement comprising a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor arranged between said condenser and said evaporator, said compressor being configured to transfer a heat transferring medium from said evaporator to said condenser; wherein said heat pump apparatus module is divided into at least two separate compartments being: an air-flow compartment comprising a first heat pump component being either the condenser or the evaporator, the air-flow compartment being configured to allow air to flow therethrough, said first heat pump component being configured to utilize said air for heating or cooling said heat transferring medium; a first closeable compartment being accessible through a first closeable opening, and wherein said air-flow compartment comprises an air-intake portion and an air-outlet portion, configured such that air flowing through said air-flow compartment is brought into contact with said first heat pump component, said heat pump apparatus module further comprising an air-recirculation reducing wall configured to prevent or at least reduce, outlet air from the air-outlet portion to be mixed with inlet air in the air-intake portion, wherein the heat pump apparatus module comprises a control system configured to receive a heating demand signal and a cooling demand signal from a building or a construction site; wherein said heating demand signal is indicative of a heating demand in said building or construction site and said cooling demand signal is indicative of a cooling demand in said building or construction site, and wherein said control system is responsive to at least one of said heating demand signal and said cooling demand signal such that said control system is configured to control said heat pump to perform at least one of: cool said supply water when said control system receives said cooling demand signal and heat said supply water when said control system receives said heating demand signal, such that said heat pump apparatus satisfies the heating demand or the cooling demand from the building or the construction site.

2. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said compressor is arranged in said first closeable compartment.

3. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said first heat pump component is the evaporator, thereby enabling said supply water to be heated by said heat pump arrangement.

4. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said first heat pump component is the condenser, thereby enabling said supply water to be cooled by said heat pump arrangement.

5. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said air-flow compartment is configured to enable an air flow of at least 1000 m.sup.3/h, or at least 10000 m.sup.3/h, or at least 20000 m.sup.3/h, through said air-flow compartment.

6. The heat pump apparatus module according claim 1 further comprising a drainage system for removing moisture originating from an outer surface of said first heat pump component to outside of said air-flow compartment.

7. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus housing is a shipping container.

8. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer wall surrounding said air-flow compartment is comprised of a lattice or grating enabling air to flow there-through.

9. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 8, wherein said heat pump apparatus module is configured to automatically remove any debris attached to said lattice or grating.

10. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said heat pump apparatus module is divided into at least three separate compartments, wherein said third separate compartment is: a second closeable compartment being accessible through a second closeable opening, said second closeable compartment comprising connecting ports for the supply water and electrical connections for at least driving the compressor.

11. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 10, wherein said first closeable compartment is accessible through a first level of access, and wherein said second closeable compartment is accessible through a second level of access being different to said first level of access.

12. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 11, wherein said first level of access is associated with a first security level, and said second level of access is associated with a second security level different from said first security level, thereby authorizing persons with different level of security access to enter the first and the second closeable compartments, respectively.

13. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said air-recirculation reducing wall is arranged to separate said air-outlet portion and said air-intake portion.

14. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 13, wherein said air-recirculation reducing wall at least partly surrounds said air-flow compartment; and wherein said air-intake portion is at least one opening in said air-recirculation reducing wall.

15. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 14, wherein said heat pump apparatus module further comprises a duct provided for transporting exhaust gas from a house or a building; and wherein said at least one opening in said air-recirculation reducing wall is a duct facing opening and wherein said duct is arranged in front of and/or in close proximity of said duct facing opening.

16. The heat pump apparatus module according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus housing is a container having a length, a width and a height; wherein the length of said container is between 8 ft and 45 ft, and/or wherein the width of said container is between 8 ft and 10 ft; and/or wherein the height of said container is between 8 ft and 10 ft.

17. The heat pump according to claim 16, wherein the length of said container is between 10 ft and 40 ft.

18. The heat pump according to claim 17, wherein the length of said container is between 20 ft and 40 ft.

19. A heat pump apparatus module for heating supply water, said heat pump apparatus module comprising: an apparatus housing being at least partly provided with an outer wall; a heat pump arrangement comprising a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor arranged between said condenser and said evaporator, said compressor being configured to transfer a heat transferring medium from said evaporator to said condenser; wherein said heat pump apparatus module is divided into at least two separate compartments being: an air-flow compartment comprising a first heat pump component being either the condenser or the evaporator, the air-flow compartment being configured to allow air to flow therethrough, said first heat pump component being configured to utilize said air for heating said heat transferring medium; a first closeable compartment being accessible through a first closeable opening, and wherein said air-flow compartment comprises an air-intake portion and an air-outlet portion, configured such that air flowing through said air-flow compartment is brought into contact with said first heat pump component, said heat pump apparatus module further comprising an air-recirculation reducing wall configured to prevent or at least reduce, outlet air from the air-outlet portion to be mixed with inlet air in the air-intake portion, and wherein the heat pump apparatus module comprises a control system configured to receive a heating demand signal from a building or a construction site; wherein said heating demand signal is indicative of a heating demand in said building or construction site; and wherein said control system is responsive to said heating demand signal such that said control system is configured to control said heat pump to heat said supply water when said control system receives said heating demand signal, such that said heat pump apparatus satisfies a heating demand from the building or the construction site.

20. A building or construction site heating and/or cooling system comprising: a building or construction site; a heat pump apparatus module for cooling supply water, said heat pump apparatus module comprising: an apparatus housing being at least partly provided with an outer wall; a heat pump arrangement comprising a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor arranged between said condenser and said evaporator, said compressor being configured to transfer a heat transferring medium from said evaporator to said condenser; wherein said heat pump apparatus module is divided into at least two separate compartments being: an air-flow compartment comprising a first heat pump component being the condenser, the air-flow compartment being configured to allow air to flow therethrough, said first heat pump component being configured to utilize said air for cooling said heat transferring medium; a first closeable compartment being accessible through a first closeable opening, and wherein said air-flow compartment comprises an air-intake portion and an air-outlet portion, configured such that air flowing through said air-flow compartment is brought into contact with said first heat pump component, said heat pump apparatus module further comprising an air-recirculation reducing wall configured to prevent or at least reduce, outlet air from the air-outlet portion to be mixed with inlet air in the air-intake portion, and wherein the heat pump apparatus module comprises a control system configured to receive a heating demand signal and a cooling demand signal from said building or said construction site; wherein said heating demand signal is indicative of a heating demand in said building or construction site and said cooling demand signal is indicative of a cooling demand in said building or construction site and wherein said control system is responsive to at least one of said heating demand signal and said cooling demand signal such that said control system is configured to control said heat pump to perform at least one of cool said supply water when said control system receives said cooling demand signal and heat said supply water when said control system receives said heating demand signal such that said heat pump apparatus satisfies the cooling demand from the building or the construction site.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a heat pump apparatus module in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic, top view of a heat pump apparatus module in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3A is a schematic, perspective view of an air-flow compartment in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of an air-recirculation reducing arrangement in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a heat pump apparatus module in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a heat pump apparatus module in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) FIG. 1 shows a heat pump apparatus module 1 for heating supply water led through piping 52 to a connecting port 56 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The heat pump apparatus module 1 comprises an apparatus housing 10, here shown as a shipping container 10 (may also be referred to as an intermodal container, or a cargo container, or a freight container, or an ISO container, or an US standard container). The apparatus housing 10 has an outer wall 12. The heat pump apparatus module 1 further comprises a heat pump arrangement 20 that comprises a condenser 22, an evaporator 24, and a compressor 26. The compressor 26 is arranged between the condenser 22 and the evaporator 24.

(9) The heat pump apparatus module 1 is divided into three separate compartments 32, 34, 36: An air-flow compartment 32 which comprises a first heat pump component 25. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the first heat pump component 25 corresponds to the evaporator 24. A first closeable compartment 34 which is accessible through a first closeable opening 40 in the outer wall 12. In FIG. 1, the first closeable opening 40 is closeable by the container doors 44. The first closeable compartment 34 comprises a second heat pump component 23, which in the embodiment of FIG. 1 corresponds to the condenser 22. Further, the heat pump apparatus module comprises a compressor 26, wherein the compressor is arranged in said first closeable compartment An optional second closeable compartment 36 which is accessible through a second closeable opening 42 in the outer wall 12. The second closeable compartment comprises connecting ports 56 for the supply water and electrical connections for at least driving the compressor 26. The second closeable opening 42 is closeable with a door 46, here shown as a container hatch 46.

(10) According to embodiments in which the heat pump apparatus module is divided into two separate compartments (i.e. in embodiments where the second optional closeable compartment 36 is omitted), the connection ports 56, and any other equipment being described as comprised in the optional closeable compartment 36, may be arranged in the air-flow compartment 32, the first closeable compartment 34 and/or on the outside of the apparatus housing 10.

(11) The housing 10 is arranged for housing the heat pump apparatus module 1. The housing 10 comprises the outer wall 12 and typically a floor 14 and a roof (not shown for clarity of illustration). The outer wall 12 at least partly circumferentially surrounds the heat pump arrangement 20. The outer wall 12 may be divided into separate portions corresponding to at least some of the separate compartments 32, 34, 36. Moreover, the outer wall 12 corresponding to the respective separate compartment 32, 34, 36 may be divided into subportions. The outer wall covering the air-flow compartment 32 is divided in three different subportions 60, 62, 64. In FIG. 1, a first subportion 60 being an air-intake is arranged in the outer wall 12 surrounding the air-flow compartment 32 on an opposite side to the first closeable compartment 34, and a second subportion 62 together with a third subportion 64, being air-outlets, are arranged in the outer wall 12 surrounding the air-flow compartment 32 on a respective lateral side of the housing 10. The subportion 60 comprises a lattice and/or grating 66. The subportions 62, 64 comprise means for directing the air-flow 68. According to at least one example embodiment of the invention the lattice and/or grating 66 may act as an opening to the air-flow compartment.

(12) Moreover, the roof of the housing 10 may for example only cover at least one of the first and the second closeable units 34, 36 and hence allowing air flowing through the top of the air-flow compartment 32. In such embodiments, a fourth opening, being an air intake or an air outlet, is provided as an opening over at least a part of the air-flow compartment of the roof of the housing 10. Moreover, and which is further described with reference to FIG. 3a, the floor 14 of the housing 10 may be provided with an opening, for example being a fifth opening to the air-flow compartment 32. For example, the floor 14 of the air-flow compartment 32 may be comprised of a lattice or grating.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, the first closeable compartment 34 and the second closeable compartment 36 are accessible by different closeable openings 40, 42 in the housing 10. The first closeable compartment 34 is accessible by the closeable opening 40 which here is embodied by the container doors 44. Thus, a human (e.g. a service technician) may access the first closeable compartment 34 via the container doors 44, and preferably enter into the first closeable compartment 34 in order to review or repair any equipment within the first closeable compartment 34. Thus, it should be understood that the first closeable compartment 34 is typically adapted to be large enough for a human to enter. The second closeable compartment 32 is accessible by the closeable opening 42 which here is closeable by a container hatch 46. The container hatch 46 is typically a smaller door compared to the container doors 44, as the second closeable compartment 36 is typically smaller than the first closeable compartment 34. Thus, it should be understood that the second closeable compartment 36 is typically not adapted to be large enough for a human to enter, but rather large enough to house any connecting ports needed for the heat pump apparatus module 1.

(14) As the first and the second closeable compartments 34, 36 are accessible via different closeable openings 40, 42, the accessibility to the first and the second closeable compartments 34, 36 may be adapted accordingly. For example, the first closeable opening 40 may be provided with a first type of access means, for example by a first lock in the container doors 44, which only the service technician has access to, while the second closeable opening 42 may be provided with a second type of access means, being different from the first type of access means, for example by a second lock in the container hatch 46, which only a person who connects the supply water and the electrical connections to the connection ports 56 has access to. Alternatively, also the service technician has access to the container hatch 46 and the second closeable compartment 36. In other words, the first closeable compartment 34 is accessible through a first level of access, and the second closeable compartment 36 is accessible through a second level of access.

(15) The function of the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1 will now be described in further detail.

(16) The heat pump arrangement 20 utilizes the physical properties of a heat transferring medium that is typically an evaporating and condensing fluid often referred to as a refrigerant, which is led through a piping arrangement 54 in cycle from the evaporator 24 to the condenser 22 and back again. As stated above, it is the compressor 26 which is configured to transfer the heat transferring medium through the cycle, from the evaporator 24 to the condenser 22. Moreover, the compressor 26 is configured to change the pressure of the heat transferring medium and thereby increasing the thermal energy of the heat transferring medium. Thus, the compressor 26 compresses the heat transferring medium to make it relatively hotter in order to be able to utilize the heat on one side of the heat pump arrangement 20, i.e. the side to be warmed, here being inside the first closeable compartment 34. Subsequently, the heat transferring medium is throttled in order to reduce the pressure on another side of the heat pump arrangement 20, i.e. the side where heat is absorbed. In other words, the heat transferring medium is pressurized and circulated through the heat pump arrangement 20 by the compressor 26.

(17) Stated differently, the heat pump arrangement 20 comprises a heat absorption side and a heat discharge side. On the heat absorption side, the heat transferring medium is typically at low pressure and is able to absorb heat from the surroundings, for the heat pump arrangement 20 in FIG. 1, this being the air flowing through the air-flow compartment 32. The air-flow compartment is typically configured to enable an air flow of at least 1000 m.sup.3/h, or at least 10000 m.sup.3/h, or at least 20000 m.sup.3/h to flow through the air-flow compartment.

(18) The heat absorption is carried out in the evaporator 24, i.e. the evaporator 24 is a first heat exchanger utilizing heat from the air to evaporate the heat transferring medium. After the evaporator 24, the heat transferring medium is compressed by the compressor 26 in order to raise the pressure and the temperature of the heat transferring medium. Subsequently, the heat transferring medium enters the heat discharge side, where the now hot and pressurized heat transferring medium, typically in the form of a vapor, is condensed in a second heat exchanger being the condenser 22. Thus, in the condenser 22, the heat absorbed in the heat absorption side is released to another medium, e.g. the supply water or another intermediate fluid, by means of heat exchange. The condensed heat transferring medium then typically passes through a pressure-lowering device or a throttling device, which also may be called a metering device, an expansion valve or capillary tube. The low pressure heat transferring medium then enters the evaporator and the cycle is repeated.

(19) Thus, the evaporator 24 is configured to utilize the air flowing through the air-flow compartment 32 and to transfer the thermal energy from the air flowing through the air-flow compartment 32 to a heat transferring medium, led through piping 54, and the condenser 22 is configured to at least finally transfer the thermal energy from the heat transferring medium to the supply water.

(20) FIG. 2 shows a heat pump apparatus module 201, similar to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1, seen from above. The heat pump apparatus module 201 is configured for heating supply water, led through piping 252, in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the invention. The heat pump apparatus module 201 comprises an apparatus housing 210, here shown as a shipping container 210. Similar to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1, the apparatus housing 210 has an outer wall 212. The heat pump apparatus module 201 further comprises a heat pump arrangement 220 that comprises a condenser 222, an evaporator 224, and a compressor 226 with a similar set-up as the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1 why the function of the heat pump arrangement 220 is not further described in relation to FIG. 2. As the heat pump apparatus module 201 of FIG. 2 is in large the same as the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1 (e.g. the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, with the addition of the value “200” is used for corresponding features in FIG. 2), focus on the description related to FIG. 2 will be on the differences compared to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1.

(21) The heat pump apparatus module 201 of FIG. 2 is divided into three separate compartments 232,234,236: An air-flow compartment 232 which comprises two first heat pump components 225. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 each one of the first heat pump components 225 corresponds to an evaporator 224. A first closeable compartment 234 which is accessible through a first closeable opening 240 in the outer wall 212. The first closeable compartment 234 comprises two second heat pump components 223, which in the embodiment of FIG. 2 corresponds to a respective condenser 222. Moreover, the first closeable compartment comprises a supply water tank 272 and a water heater 274. A second closeable compartment 236 which is accessible through a second closeable opening 242 in the outer wall 212. The second closeable compartment comprises connecting ports 256A, 256B, 256C for the supply water (e.g. tap water to a first connection port 256A, heated radiator water to a second connection port 256B) and electrical connections (e.g. to a third connection port 256C) for at least driving the compressor 226.

(22) As shown in FIG. 2, the two evaporators 224 are configured to utilize the air flowing through the air-flow compartment 232 and to transfer the thermal energy from the air flowing through the air-flow compartment to a heat transferring medium, led through piping 254, and subsequently discharge the absorbed heat in the two condensers 222.

(23) In the condensers 222, the heat transferring medium is heat exchanged with a heat receiving medium, e.g. the supply water as shown in FIG. 2 (i.e. here either the tap water or the radiator water). As shown in FIG. 2, the supply water may be further heated in the heater 274.

(24) According to at least one example embodiment, the heat receiving medium, e.g. the water which has been heated in the condenser(s), is acting as an intermediate heat carrier and is further heat exchanged in a separate heat exchanger with supply water, i.e. here either the tap water and/or the radiator water.

(25) As also shown in FIG. 2, the supply water may be stored in a water tank 272. In other words, the water tank 272 may act as a heat reservoir for the supply water. The tank 272 may, when acting as a heat reservoir, level out or reduce the need for added extra peak power in the heat production. Inside the water tank there is water coils 276 which may be used for heat exchange.

(26) FIG. 3a shows an enlarged view of an air-flow compartment 332 according to at least one embodiment of the invention. The air-flow compartment 332 of FIG. 3 may be used as the air-flow compartment 32 of FIG. 1, or the air-flow compartment 232 of FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 3a, at least a subportion 360 of the outer wall 312 surrounding the air-flow compartment 332 is comprised of a lattice 366 or a grating 366 enabling air to flow there-through. In other words, the air flow compartment 332 is at least partly surrounded by a lattice or grating 366 which covers at least a portion of an opening in the outer wall 312. The other subportions 362, 364 may be covered by means for directing the air-flow 368 out from the first heat pump component.

(27) The lattice or grating 366 and/or the means for directing the air-flow 368 is configured to enable air to flow there-through and through the air-flow compartment 332. Moreover, the lattice or grating 366 and/or the means for directing the air-flow 368 hinder e.g. leafs or debris to enter the air-flow compartment 332. According to at least one example embodiment of the invention the lattice and/or grating 366 may act as an opening to the air-flow compartment.

(28) According to at least one example embodiment, the heat pump apparatus module is configured to automatically remove any debris attached to the lattice or grating 366 and/or to the means for directing the air-flow 368. This may e.g. be carried out by a scrape which is configured to periodically sweep over the lattice or grating 366 and/or the means for directing the air-flow 368. Such scrape may e.g. be electrically driven and being connected to a processor configured to carry out computer-readable instructions with the periodically sweeping procedure. The automatically removal of any debris attached to the lattice or grating 366 and/or to the means for directing the air-flow 368 may alternatively be carried out by a reverse air-flow through the air-flow compartment 332. This may for example be carried out by reversing the function of the evaporators 24, 224 by a processor configured to carry out computer-readable instructions with the reversing function procedure.

(29) In FIG. 3a, a drainage system 369 configured for removing moisture originating from an outer surface of the evaporators to an outside of the air-flow compartment 332 is shown. The drainage system 369 may comprise a lattice or grating on which the evaporators rest. The drainage system 369 is arranged for removing moisture originating from an outer surface of said first heat pump component to outside of said air-flow compartment.

(30) FIG. 3b shows an air-recirculation reducing arrangement 380 which may be used instead of the lattice or grating 366 and/or to the means for directing the air-flow 368 in FIG. 3a. The air-recirculation reducing arrangement 380 is divided into an air-intake portion 382 and an air-outlet portion 384. The air-recirculation reducing arrangement 380 is configured such that air flowing through said air-flow compartment 332, via the air-intake portion 382 is brought into contact with said first heat pump component (typically the evaporator). The air-recirculation reducing arrangement 380 is further configured to prevent or at least reduce outlet air from the air-outlet portion 384 to be mixed with inlet air in the air-intake portion 382.

(31) FIG. 4 shows a heat pump apparatus module 401, similar to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1 and the heat pump apparatus module 201 of FIG. 2. As the heat pump apparatus module 401 of FIG. 4 is in large the same as the heat pump apparatus modules 1, 201 of FIG. 1, respectively (e.g. the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, with the addition of the value “400” is used for corresponding features in FIG. 4), focus on the description related to FIG. 4 will be on the differences compared to the heat pump apparatus modules land 201 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively.

(32) The heat pump apparatus module 401 comprises an apparatus housing 410, here shown as a larger shipping container 410 as compared with the shipping container 10 of FIG. 1 and 210 of FIG. 2 respectively. Consequently, the area of the three separate compartments 432,434,436 is larger and thereby more first and second heat pump components can be comprised in the heat pump apparatus module. Moreover, several water tanks, water heaters etc can be housed in the heat pump apparatus module. A larger heat pump apparatus module gives higher capacity.

(33) In FIG. 4 the three separate compartments 432,434,436 comprises: An air-flow compartment 432 which comprises 16 first heat pump components 425. In FIG. 4 each one of the first heat pump components 425 corresponds to an evaporator 424. A first closeable compartment 434 which is accessible through a first closeable opening 440 in the outer wall 412. The first closeable compartment 434 comprises second heat pump components 423, which in FIG. 4 corresponds to the condenser 422. Moreover, the first closeable compartment comprises two supply water tanks 472.

(34) A second closeable compartment 436 which is accessible through a second closeable opening 442 in the outer wall 412. The second closeable compartment comprises connecting ports 456 for the supply water and electrical connections for at least driving the compressor 426.

(35) FIG. 5 shows a heat pump apparatus module 501, similar to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1. The heat pump apparatus module 501 is configured for heating supply water. The heat pump apparatus module 501 comprises an apparatus housing 510, here shown as a container 510 such as e.g. a shipping container. Similar to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1, the apparatus housing 510 has an outer wall 512. The heat pump apparatus module 501 further comprises a heat pump arrangement that comprises a condenser (not shown in FIG. 5), four evaporators 524, and a compressor (not shown in FIG. 5) with a similar, or equal, set-up as the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1 why the function of the heat pump arrangement is not further described in relation to FIG. 5. As the heat pump apparatus module 501 of FIG. 5 is in large the same as the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1 (e.g. the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, with the addition of the value “500” is used for corresponding features in FIG. 5), focus on the description related to FIG. 5 will be on the differences compared to the heat pump apparatus module 1 of FIG. 1.

(36) In connection to the heat pump apparatus module 501 a duct 590 is arranged. Through the duct 590, warm exhaust air from a house or a building is transported away from said house or building. The duct 590 is arranged in front of a duct facing opening 594, being an air-intake portion, of the air-flow compartment 532. The duct 590 may be arranged at a distance from the duct facing opening 594 as shown in FIG. 5 or it may be arranged adjacent, i.e. flush, to the duct facing opening 594 as indicated with the dashed lines. The duct 590 is configured to guide or transport the warm exhaust air from the house or building to enter the heat pump apparatus module 501 through the duct facing opening 594 and thereby facilitating the use of the heat pump apparatus module 501 for heat recovery purposes. The duct facing opening 594 is here covered by a lattice to hinder debris or unauthorized persons to enter the air-flow compartment 532. The duct 590 further comprises one or several side openings 592.

(37) When the duct 590 is arranged at a distance from the duct facing opening 594, both exhaust air from the duct 590, and air from the surroundings may enter the air-flow compartment 532 via the duct facing opening 594.

(38) When the duct 590 is arranged adjacent to the duct facing opening 594 and when the side openings 592 is closed, only exhaust air from a house or building may enter the air-flow compartment 532 via the duct 590. By opening the side openings 592 air from the surrounding is allowed to enter the air-flow compartment 532 via side openings 592 and duct facing opening 594. According to some embodiments, the side openings 592 are opened when there is no or a limited amount of exhaust air from a house of or a building. Further, the side openings 592 may be opened if the exhaust air from a house or a building is lower than the capacity of the heat pump apparatus module 501, i.e. the heat pump apparatus module 501 may have the capacity to use more air that what is provided by the house or the building.

(39) The heat pump apparatus module 501 further comprises an air-recirculation reducing arrangement 580. The air-recirculation reducing arrangement 580 of the heat pump apparatus module 501 is a wall 580. The wall comprises openings for four evaporators 524. The wall 580 divides the air-flow compartment 532 into air-intake portion and an air-outtake portion. According to one example embodiment, the air-recirculation reducing arrangement further comprises the side openings 592 of the duct 590. That is, as the side openings 592 may be closed, especially for the embodiment when the duct 590 is arranged flushed the duct facing opening 594, they may reduce outlet air from entering the duct facing opening 594. Moreover, the duct 590 itself may be considered to be comprised in the air-recirculation reducing arrangement, especially for the embodiment when the duct 590 is arranged flushed the duct facing opening 594, as the duct 590 reduce or prevents outlet air from entering the duct facing opening 594. In embodiments where the duct 590 and/or the side openings 592 of the duct 590 is/are comprised in the air-recirculation reducing arrangement, the wall 580 may be omitted.

(40) During operation, air is entering the air-flow compartment 532. The air may be exhaust air from a house or a building, and/or it may be air from the surroundings of the heat pump apparatus module 501. The air enters the air-flow compartment 532 through the duct facing opening 594. The air, which has entered the air-flow compartment 532 comes in contact with a first side of the evaporators 524, passes through the evaporators 524 and exit the evaporators on the other side of the wall 580. Hence, the wall 580 separates the air which enters the air-flow compartment 532, i.e. the inlet air, from the air which exits the same, i.e. the outlet air, and thereby is mixture of outlet air and inlet air prevented or at least reduced.

(41) The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

(42) For instance, the invention is not limited to heating supply water. For instance, the invention can be used for cooling supply water. In that case, the condensor is being the first heat pump component and the evaporator is being the second heat pump component. The first and second heat pump components are typically not physically replaced with each other, but the function of the respective first and second heat pump components are decided based on the desired direction of transferring heat. The heat pump apparatus module may be equipped with separate connections for cooling water and one or several tanks for cooled water. Moreover, two or more heat pump arrangement may be used. The two or more heat pump arrangements may be used simultaneously for heating and cooling.

(43) Moreover, debris may alternatively be removed from the lattice or grating and/or the means for directing the air-flow by an additional blow-system.