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Absorption Refrigeration
Absorption Refrigeration
Figures from Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, by Stoecker and Jones, and Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach, by engel and Boles
Absorption Refrigeration
Developed by a Frenchman, Ferdinand Carr, and brought to the US during the Civil War when the North cut off the supply of natural ice from the South. Heat-driven system: work input is very low, but a larger heat input is required More expensive and complex, larger, less efficient than vapor-compression systems Used when unit cost of heat (thermal energy) is low or thermal energy is available that would otherwise be wasted Used primarily in large commercial and industrial applications May include a secondary loop for safety reasons and for ease and cost of set-up
Absorption Cycle
Compressor is replaced with a more complex system
Ammonia-Water System
Ammonia-Water System
Ammonia vapor passes through the condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. In the absorber it reacts with and is absorbed by the water in an exothermic reaction. Heat is removed with cooling water. Solution is pumped to the regenerator, increasing the pressure. Heat is added in the regenerator, and ammonia and a little water vaporizes. Ammonia and water vapor are separated in the rectifier. Ammonia goes to the condenser & water is returned to the regenerator.
Coefficient of Performance
COP = refrigeration rate Q = L rate of heat addition Qgen
Note that the definition of COP for an absorption system is different from a vaporcompression system, so direct comparisons shouldnt be made. Typical value: 0.6 (3 is a typical value for a vapor-compression system)