Daikin is set to preview a prototype of its new EWYK-QZ modular air-to-water heat pump, featuring R-290 (propane) refrigerant.
Designed to meet a wide range of comfort heating, cooling, and domestic hot water needs, the new system will be officially launched at the end of 2025.
The prototype will be previewed at ISH Frankfurt, Europe's leading HVAC trade fair, from 17–21 March.
The EWYK-QZ modular air sourced heat pump will offer cooling and heating capacities from 100 kW (single module) to 2000 kW (group configuration).
It can replace boilers by delivering up to 75°C hot water. In cooling mode, it operates in a range of -15°C to +27°C at the evaporator outlet. The unit is designed for tough conditions, functioning between -20°C and +46°C ambient temperatures.
Daikin has extensive experience in heat pump development, using various compressor technologies and refrigerants. With this new development, Daikin introduces modular design to air-sourced products after launching the EWWT-Q- modular water-to-water heat pump in 2024.
The new product uses a modular design for flexible configuration. Combining multiple units can achieve the required capacity, controlled as a single system. This simplifies transport and installation, making it a plug-and-play solution with the Daikin Manifold kit and Pump module.
For building extensions, the modularity allows quick and easy upgrades to cooling or heating capacity. The EWYK-QZ modular system includes modules with 100 or 125 kW each.
Four modules create an array of up to 500 kW, and four arrays (16 modules) can form a system with up to 2000 kW capacity, managed by the Intelligent Chiller Manager (iCM) control system.
EWYK-QZ makes use of propane refrigerant (R-290) and the unit is engineered to limit the refrigerant charge in each module with top-class safety measures to ensure secure and reliable operation. The following safety systems are mounted on board each module:
- Two refrigerant leak detectors: one on the refrigerant circuit, and another one in the switchbox
- A unit extraction fan, aimed to quickly disperse refrigerant in the external environment in case of a leakage
- A switchbox fan, aimed to quickly disperse refrigerant out of the switchbox in case of a leakage
- A siren for visual and acoustic alert in case of refrigerant leakage. The siren is positioned on the switchbox
All these components are externally electrically plugged to ensure proper operation in every condition. Finally, the modular structure also allows for simplified maintenance. Hence, each single module can be accessed and maintained independently.
The scroll compressors with inverters ensure efficient adaptation to changing loads, while brushless fans offer top performance at part loads. The modular configuration allows for optimal adaptation to demand changes, reducing on-off cycles compared to traditional units.