Samsung Electronics Partners with U.S. National Laboratory for Next-Generation HVAC Technology Development

Advancing Core Vapor Compression Technology for Heat Pumps

Heating and Hot Water Even Below -30°C

New Technologies to Be Applied to HVAC Products After Field Demonstration

Samsung Electronics is accelerating the development of next-generation heating technologies through a collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

On August 9, Samsung Electronics announced that it will conduct this research project through the first half of next year. Afterward, it plans to verify the technology's performance and reliability in the harsh environment of Alaska, United States, and then apply it to various heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) products.

The research project is titled “Cold Climate Vapor Compression Space Heating and Multi-functional Equipment.” The primary objective is to develop technology capable of delivering efficient and stable heating performance even in environments below minus 30 degrees Celsius.

The core of this research is vapor compression technology, which functions by compressing and circulating refrigerant to transfer heat from outdoors to indoors. This technology enables highly energy-efficient HVAC equipment that can provide heating, cooling, and hot water supply.

Lifestyle image of Samsung Electronics' 'EHS Heat Pump Boiler.' Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics plans to further advance its vapor compression technology to provide a solution that delivers stable heating performance in ultra-low temperature environments—specifically, those below minus 30 degrees Celsius using a single compressor.

Vapor compression technology utilizes the property of refrigerant to transition between liquid and gas states within the compressor, absorbing and releasing heat in the process, enabling energy conversion.

The refrigerant, after absorbing heat from outside, is compressed by the compressor into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. The heat generated during this process is transferred indoors via a heat exchanger to either air or water. After releasing its heat, the refrigerant returns to a liquid state to absorb more external heat, repeating this cycle to provide heating, cooling, and hot water.

However, vapor compression technology has a limitation: its performance decreases as the outdoor temperature drops. This issue is particularly relevant in cold regions such as North America and Northern Europe, where ultra-low temperatures below minus 30 degrees Celsius are common for extended periods. For this reason, developing next-generation vapor compression technologies with enhanced heating performance and reliability is essential.

Samsung Electronics plans to adopt a rotary scroll mechanism in its compressors to further enhance performance. Unlike conventional compressors that compress refrigerant using a piston in a linear motion, scroll compressors use two interlocking scrolls that rotate to achieve compression. This design reduces energy loss and increases stability, making it especially advantageous for long-term heating operations in cold regions.

The company will also implement “flash injection,” a technology for controlling refrigerant volume to prevent compressor overheating and optimize performance. Flash injection works by using sensors to detect declining thermal efficiency during extended operation and, if needed, injecting additional refrigerant inside the unit.

Samsung Electronics will conduct real-world demonstration tests of the developed technology at the Rocky National Laboratory (NLR) field test lab in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

Fairbanks is a cold region, with average monthly lows around minus 40 degrees Celsius and an all-time record low below minus 50 degrees Celsius. It is considered an ideal location for verifying product performance and reliability in extreme environments.

The research team plans to comprehensively evaluate heating performance, energy efficiency, operational stability over prolonged periods, and hot water supply during severe cold, in order to determine whether the system can be used reliably in actual residential settings.

Samsung Electronics stated that, through this research, it aims to strengthen its leadership in vapor compression heating technology and actively respond to the global trend of electrification in heating.

Looking ahead, the company plans to apply this technology to a broader range of HVAC products, including system air conditioners and heat pump boilers that provide both heating and cooling functions.

Seongtaek Lim, Executive Vice President of the Device Appliances (DA) Division at Samsung Electronics, said, "This collaboration will be a significant milestone in proving Samsung’s unrivaled high-efficiency technology and product reliability in actual ultra-low-temperature environments. Based on our research data, we will introduce heat pump products to the global market that maximize performance and energy efficiency while also reducing carbon emissions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.