Heat Pump Components: Reactor Product Knowledge Presentation

Hello everyone! Today, we'll delve into a critical component in heat pump systems - the reactor.

I. What is a Reactor?

The reactor (English: Reactor2) is a common electrical device in power systems. It regulates circuit impedance through its inductive or capacitive reactance characteristics, enabling precise control of current, voltage, power factor, and other parameters. Like traffic police directing traffic flow, reactors coordinate the orderly operation of various electrical parameters.

II. Key Functions & Applications

1. Short-Circuit Current Limiting

• Function: During short-circuit faults, series reactors (especially current limiting reactors3) utilize high inductive reactance to suppress fault current magnitude. This protects equipment like circuit breakers and transformers from surge damage.
• Application: Widely used in power plants and substation distribution systems1.

2. Reactive Power Compensation & Power Factor Correction

1. Shunt Reactor2:
   • Absorbs capacitive reactive power (e.g., cable charging currents) in high-voltage transmission lines, preventing voltage surges.
   • Acts as an "energy absorber" to maintain grid stability.
2. Series Reactor:
   • Forms LC filters with capacitors to suppress harmonics5, protecting capacitors from harmonic overload.
   • Essential in SVG/SVC compensation systems.

3. Harmonic Filtering

• Creates LC filter networks to eliminate specific harmonics (5th, 7th, etc.) generated by non-linear loads like VFDs and arc furnaces3.
• Improves power quality for industrial equipment operation.

4. System Stability Enhancement

1. Voltage Regulation: Balances reactive power by adjusting reactor capacity, akin to adjusting weights on a scale.
2. Oscillation Damping: Suppresses low-frequency oscillations in long-distance power transmission systems.

5. Other Applications

1. Motor Starting: Current limiting reactors enable soft-start of large motors by reducing inrush currents8.
2. DC Systems: Smoothing reactors in HVDC/VFD outputs suppress current ripple5.

III. Conclusion

As a multi-functional component, reactors ensure safe operation and energy efficiency in heat pump systems and power grids. Their integrated protection mechanisms and parameter control capabilities make them indispensable in modern electrical infrastructure.