Adsorption vs.

Absorption Chillers: Applications and Use

Overview
Industrial chillers are refrigeration systems that are based on two chiller technologies - adsorption
and absorption. While both are advantageous in providing high-quality air conditioning, they differ
widely based on their size, construction, working principle, as well as application. Adsorption
chillers are purely hot water driven, whereas absorption chillers are driven by hot water, steam, or
combustion. There have been many recent innovations in the development of both adsorption and
absorption chillers, typically a reduction in their size, complex construction, volume, and weight.
Adsorption chillers work on the principle of adsorption using solid sorption materials such as silica
gel and zeolites. These types of chillers are known for their robust construction, ease of installation,
and in many cases, considered more advantageous than absorption chillers. There are no
possibilities of crystallization, corrosion, hazardous leaks, and the electricity consumption is
minimal. This makes them ideal for use in commercial as well as industrial air conditioning, process
cooling, and waste heat recovery applications.
The absorption type of chillers is the most common source of commercial climate control and
industrial machinery cooling. They use a solution containing water and lithium bromide salt to
absorb heat from the surroundings. Since there is no use of CFC's or ammonia, the cooling process
is environment friendly. Both adsorption and absorption types of chillers are connected through a
network to chilled ceilings or fan coils in room installations.
Apart from the technology used, various other parameters differentiate an adsorption chiller from an
absorption chiller. The typical cooling capacity of an adsorption chiller ranges from 5.5 to 500 KW,
whereas the cooling capacity of an absorption chiller ranges from 4.5 KW to 5 MW. Adsorption
chillers use butterfly valves for simpler operations, while absorption chillers use 3-way control
valves.
Though absorption chillers are more efficient, their lifetime (7 to 9 years), complexity, high
maintenance time, and low corrosion protection are some constraints. Conversely, adsorption
chillers are highly reliable with a chiller life expectancy of more than 30 years. The following table
illustrates the advantages of adsorption chillers over absorption chillers.