Vapour Absorption System

1 Basic Principles of Vapour Absorption System

2 Working principle of VAM and components.
3 Evaporator.
4 Absorber.
5 High temperature Generator.
6 Low Temperature Generator.
7 Advantages of Vapour absorption Machines.
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 VAPOUR ABSORPTION SYSTEM

Basic Principle:
The boiling point of water is directly proportional to
pressure. At atmospheric pressure water boils at 100o C. at
lower pressure it boils at lower temperature. At 6 mm Hg
absolute pressure the boiling point of water is 3.7o C.
To change water from liquid to Vapour it has to be heated.
The water absorbs the heat and its temperature starts rising.
However it rises until it reaches a point where the temperature
remains constant and it starts boiling when the liquid water
vaporizes. This point is called the boiling point. At this point all
the heat being absorbed by the water does not change its
temperature but only its phase. This heat required to change
phase of a liquid to vapour is called as the latent heat of
vaporization. Similarly the heat rejected by a vapour when it
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condenses is called as the latent heat of condensation.
Basic Principle (Contd.)
Lithium Bromide (LiBr.) is a chemical similar to
common salt (NaCl.). LiBr. is soluble in water. LiBr
water solution has a property to absorb water due to
its chemical affinity towards water.
As the concentration of LiBr solution increases,
its affinity towards water increases. Also as the
temperature of LiBr solution decreases its affinity to
water increases.
Further there is a large difference between vapour
pressure of LiBr and water. This means that if we heat
the LiBr water solution, the water will vaporize but the
LiBr will stay in the solution and become
concentrated.
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 –WORKING PRINCIPLE OF THE VAPOUR
ABSORPTION MACHINE

Absorption system use heat energy to produce a refrigerating

effect. In this system the refrigerant, i.e. Water, absorbs heat at a
low temperature and pressure during evaporation and releases
heat at a high temperature and pressure during condensation.

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WORKING PRINCIPLE OF THE VAPOUR ABSORPTION
MACHINE(Contd.)

The absorbent i.e. LiBr is used to absorb the vapourised

refrigerant after its evaporation at low pressure. This solution,
containing absorbed water vapour is heated at a higher pressure.
The refrigerant vapourises in the evaporator, which mixes with the
LiBr solution in the absorber and is restored to its original
concentration for re use.

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Vapour Absorption System
 Figure of Evaporator.

The shell pressure is very low i.e. 6mm Hg. At this pressure the
refrigerant evaporates at a low temperature i.e. 3.7 degree C &
extracts latent heat of evaporation from the water being
circulated through the evaporator tubes. Thus the water being
circulated through the tubes becomes chilled. 7
 Figure of Absorber

The absorber consists of a tube bundle, an outer shell, distribution trays, and an absorbent
collection sump, the concentrated absorbent solution from the Low Temp. Generator is fed
into the distribution trays. This solution falls on the absorber tubes. Concentrated absorbent
has an affinity to water. Hence the vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator section is
absorbed. Due to this absorption the vacuum in the shell is maintained at a low pressure and
ensures the correct chilled water temperature. The concentrated absorbent becomes diluted.
During this dilution the “Heat of Dilution” is generated. This heat is removed by the
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cooling water being circulated in the absorber tubes.
 Figure of High Temp. Generator.

The high Temperature Generator (HTG) consists of a tube bundle, an outer shell and
a set of eliminators. Steam is allowed to pass inside the tubes. The diluted absorbent
surrounds these tubes and is heated. The temperature of the solution increases until
it reaches the boiling point. The absorbed refrigerant boils out of the solution. The
solution concentration increases. This increased concentration is referred to as the
intermediate concentration. The vapourised refrigerant generated passes through the
eliminators and goes to the Low Temperature Generator. 9
Figure of LTG & Condenser

The Low temperature generator (LTG) and condenser tube bundles are enclosed in a
shell and are separated by an insulation plate. The vapourised refrigerant flows into
the LTG tubes, it heats the intermediate absorbent out side the tubes & condenses.
The condensed refrigerant flows in to the condenser. Refrigerant vapourised from
the intermediate absorbent passes through the eliminators to the condenser. Here it
is cooled by cooling water being circulated inside the condenser tubes. The
refrigerant Vapour condenses on the out side of the condenser tubes & collects in the
bottom of the condenser. The condensed refrigerant from the LTG & the condenser
mix and flows to the evaporator. The absorbent, which has become concentrated in
the LTG drains to the absorber to begin a new absorbent cycle. 10
ADVANTAGES OF VAM

Environment Friendly, no CFCs or HCFCs used.

Low power consumption when compared to Vapour Compression . system.

No noise pollution.

Low maintenance cost due to minimum moving parts.

Very low oil consumption.

Uses heat energy from steam, since steam available easily in a

power plant VAM is advantageous for power plants.

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