Heat pump apparatus

Abstract

A heat pump apparatus 10 comprises a first heat exchanger 100, a second heat exchanger 200, a compressor 300 and a turbine 400 (e.g. as a turbocharger) that each define a portion of a first fluid flow path. The first heat exchanger, second heat exchanger, compressor and turbine are mounted adjacent to one another such that a first region 102 of the first heat exchanger faces, and is adjacent to, a first region (202, figure 3) of the second heat exchanger. The compressor and turbine are located adjacent the first region of the first heat exchanger and a second region 204 of the second heat exchanger which extends in a direction away from the first region of the first heat exchanger. A first working fluid, such as air, is passed along the first fluid flow path and compressed by the compressor to heat it before exchanging heat with a second working fluid (e.g. water) in the second heat exchanger. The apparatus is compact in form, e.g. small enough to fit within a housing having dimensions equivalent to a domestic washing machine.