Ref. and Air Cond.

Vapour Absorption Refrigeration

Systems
(Chapter 17)

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 Absorption Refrigeration System
• Ferdinand Carre, a Frenchman, invented the absorption system in 1860
• The absorption cycle is similar in certain respects to the vapour- compression
cycle. In the absorption system also, refrigeration is produced by the evaporation of
a liquid refrigerant in the evaporator
• The difference between the two systems lies in the principle of converting the
refrigerant vapour back to the liquid; no compressor in Absorption Refr.
o Vapour compression (VCRS) ---- work operated cycle ---compression requires
work input ; a Compressor
o Vapour Absorption (VARS) ----- heat operated cycle --- operating cost
associated with provision of heat; No Work input except , a small pump
• VARS are Economically attractive - source of inexpensive heat energy at a
temperature of 100 to 200 oC. Also used where there are severe limits to the
electrical power available
• The overall energy used is greater than with the compression cycle, so the COP of
actual systems is usually much less than 1
• Heat energy to the generator may be any form of low-grade energy such as hot oil,
natural gas, hot water, steam, Solar radiation etc
• Major advantage is that liquid is compressed instead of vapour ; operate closer to
Reverse Carnot cylce

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 Refrigeration System
VCRS and VARS

• Vapour Compression and Vapour Absorption refrigeration systems have

commonalities; both operate with the condenser, expansion valve and
evaporator as shown
• VARS do not have a compressor. The compression process is replaced by
three Processes
• The absorption system with heat removal (generally to Surroundings)
• In the next process, the pressure of the liquid is elevated with a pump
• In the final process, the vapours are separated from the absorbing
liquid by addition of heat and go to Condenser

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 Typical Industrial Absorption Refrigerators
Steam Fired Vapour Absorption Refrigerator

Water-LiBr Vapour Absorption Refrigerator

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 Basic Absorption Refrigeration Unit
The Basic Absorption Cycle - The condenser, expansion valve and the evaporator are
similar as in a standard vapour-compression cycle. The compression operation is now
provided by the assembly in the left-half of the diagram

• Low pressure Refrigerant vapours (from the evaporator) enter the Abrsorber
where these are absorbed by the liquid solution present in the absorber thus
forming a rich solution
(The solution in the absorber is called a strong solution because it is rich in
refrigerant)
• The absorption process causes the increase in solution temperature. To resist
the tendency, a cooling coil removes this heat of solution
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• The pump draws the strong solution from the absorber, elevates the pressure
of the solution, and forces it into the generator
• In the generator the addition of heat raises the temperature, which drives off
some of the refrigerant as a vapour at high pressure and temperature
• The heat can added from Solar energy, waste heat from the process
industry, exhaust gases from automobile, power plants, steel plants, gas
power plants, etc.
• As the refrigerant vapour leaves the solution (to condenser) in the generator,
the solution becomes weak or have a low concentration of refrigerant
• The weak solution flows back to the absorber through a throttling valve
whose purpose is to expand it to lower pressure
• From the generator the refrigerant proceeds through the condenser,
expansion valve and evaporator, thus completing the cycle

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 Basic Absorption Refrigeration Unit
• The pattern for the flow of heat to and from the four-heat exchange
components in the absorption cycle is as follows:-
o High temperature heat enters the generator while low temperature heat
from the refrigerated space enters the evaporator
o The heat rejection from the cycle occurs at the absorber and condenser
at temperatures such that the heat can be rejected to atmosphere

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 COP of Absorption Cycle
• COP of VARS is defined as : Refrigeration Rate Qevap
COPabs  
Heat addition Rate at Generator QGen

• In this definition, Wpump is neglected as it is very small

• COP in this case normally small ( < 1) but by no means should be tagged
as less efficient cycle as compared to COP of VCRS (always > 1)
• The denominator in definition of VCRS, is Win but here, its Heat supplied to
generator and is much cheaper than input to compress
• In other words, Comparing these systems based on COPs is not fully
justified, as mechanical energy is more expensive than thermal energy.
Hence, sometimes the second law (or exergetic) efficiency is used to
compare different refrigeration systems. It is seen that the second law (or
exergetic) efficiency of absorption system is of the same order as that of a
compression system
• Let us see that by examining an Ideal absorption cycle.

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 COP of Ideal Absorption Cycle
• In case of a single stage compression refrigeration system operating between
constant evaporator and condenser temperatures, the maximum possible COP is
given by Carnot COP:
Qevep Tr
COPcarnot  
Win Ta  Tr
• If we assume that heat rejection at the absorber and condenser takes place at same
external heat sink temperature To, then a vapour absorption refrigeration system
operates between three following temperature levels
Ts
 Tg ( or Ts ) : Generator Temperature
 To (or Ta ) : Water Temperature or Ambient Temperature
 Te (or Tr ): Evaporator Temperature Ta
• The maximum possible COP of a Heat Operated Ideal (reverse Carnot ) refrigeration
system operating between three temperature levels, can be obtained by applying
first and second laws ofTthermodynamics
Qevep  T  T  to the system as
COP   r s a
QGen Ts  Ta  Tr  Tr
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 COP of Ideal Absorption Cycle
Qevep Tr  Ts  Ta 
COP  
QGen Ts  Ta  Tr 
It can be noted from above equation (and Figure) :
•As Ts increases  COP increases
•As Tr increases  COP increases
•As Ta increases  COP decreases
Also see Ex. 17.1 and equations 17.2 – 17.4

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 Absorption Refrigeration System
Refrigerant-absorber pairs
S. Refrigerant Absorber Absorber
# State
1 Ammonia Water Liquid
2 Ammonia Sodiumthiocynate Solid
3 Ammonia Lithiumnitrate Solid
4 Ammonia Calcium chloride Solid
5 Water Lithium bromide Solid
6 Water Lithium chloride Solid
7 Methylene Dimethyl ether or tetra Liquid
chloride ethylene glycol

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 Temperature-Pressure-Concentration Properties
Lithium Bromide (LiBr) Water Absorption Cycle
LiBr is a solid salt crystal, exposing it to water vapour (in absorber tank) it will absorb
the water vapour and become a liquid solution

• If two vessels were connected as shown in the figure, one vessel containing LiBr-
water solution and the other pure water, each liquid would exert a water-vapour
pressure that is a function of the solution temperature and the concentration of the
solution.
• At equilibrium the water-vapour pressure exerted by the two liquids would be equal ,
reaching a T-P-C point state having Tw = 40 C, Tsolution = 80 C and concentration of
solution 59%LiBr
• Many such combinations Tw = f ( Tsoluiton , LiBr %, Pvapor) are possible for a given
solution and can be plotted on graphs; like Fig 17.5 let see it
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Temperature-Pressure-Concentration Properties

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 Temperature-Pressure-Concentration Properties
Temperature-pressure concentration diagram: LiBr-water solutions
• Concentration is the abscissa of the graph and water-vapour pressure
could be considered as the ordinate on the vertical scale on the right
• The saturation temperature of pure water corresponding to these
vapour pressures is shown as the ordinate on the left
• The chart applies to saturated conditions where the solution is in
equilibrium with water vapour
• If the temperature of pure water is 40 °C, the vapour pressure the
liquid exerts is 7.38 kPa, which can be determined from the opposite
side of vertical scale
• A LiBr solution with a concentration of 59 % & temperature of 80°C
also develops a water-vapour pressure of 7.38 kPa
• If the solution had a concentration of 54% & temperature of 70°C the
water-vapour pressure would again be 7.38 kPa
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 Ex.2 :Temperature-Pressure-Concentration Properties
The pressure in vessel A is 4.24 kPa and it
is 1.22 kPa in vessel B. The surrounding
temp is 30C. If the valve between vessels
is opened. Initially due to pressure
difference water vapour will flow from
vessel A to vessel B, and this vapour will be
absorbed by the solution in vessel B

• If the concentration and temperature of

vessel B are maintained constant at 50 %
and 30oC, respectively. Then at
equilibrium, the pressure in the entire
system (vessels A and B) will be 1.22 kPa
(equilibrium pressure of 50 % LiBr solution
at 30oC).
•• And
Since the temperature
temperature of in
of water A is lowerAthan
vessel will surroundings, cooling effect will be
produces
lower to the; Qc
saturation temperature
• corresponding
Now for the above process
to 1.22 to continue,
kPa, which is equalthere should always be pure water in
tovessel
aboutA,10C,
andasvessel
shownB must
in thebe maintained always at 50 percent concentration
figure
and 30 C
o

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Ex.2 :Temperature-Pressure-Concentration Properties
• In the example discussed the system is a closed system with finite sized reservoirs
• Thus gradually the amount of water in A decreases and the solution in B becomes
diluted with water. As a result, the system pressure and temperature of water in A
increase with time
• Hence the refrigeration effect at A reduces gradually due to the reduced temperature
difference between the surroundings and water. Thus refrigeration produced by
systems using only two vessels is intermittent in nature\
• In these systems, after a period, the refrigeration process has to be stopped and both
the vessels A and B have to be brought back to their original condition. This requires
removal of water absorbed in B and adding it back to vessel A in liquid form, i.e., a
process of regeneration as shown in Fig. below

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 Calculation of Mass Flow Rate and Enthalpy
Example 17.2 : Compute the rate flow of refrigerant (water) through the condenser and
evaporator in the cycle shown in Figure below if the pump delivers 0.6 kg/s and the
following temperatures prevail: generator, 100C; condenser, 40C; evaporator. 10C; and
absorber, 30C

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 Calculation of Mass Flow Rates
• The mass flow rate abortion unit can be determined by knowing the concentrations of the LiBr in the
solution
• Two different pressures exist in the system: a high pressure prevails in the generator and
condenser, while the low pressure prevails in the absorber and evaporator
• Knowing that the pressure in condenser & generator must be same and at condenser inlet (station
3), saturated pure water enters from generator at the condensing temperature (40 C) gives us High
Pressure of cycle. i.e
• At 40°C  (from fig 17,5 ) , Pgen = 7.38 kPa
• Similarly, evaporator an absorber pressure are same and at evaporator operating at 10 C gives (Fig
17.5) the value of low pressure; Pabs = 1.23 Kpa
• Knowing Low and high pressures, the concentration of LiBr in absorber (Station1) and generated
( Station 2) can be established from Fig 17.5 , see extract of Fig 17.5 below

X1 = 0.5 or 50%
X2 = 0.664 or 66.4%

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 Calculation of Mass Flow Rates

• Knowing m1  0.6kg / s and applying mass balance across generator give us
following two equations   
• Total mass flow balance : m2  m3  m1  0.6
 
• LiBr Solution Mass flow : m1 x1  m2 x2
0.6 0.50   m2  0.664 
• Solving these

two equations, we get

the values of mass flow rates
m 2  0.452kg / s m 3  0.148 Kg / s

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 Enthalpy of LiBr Solutions
• For thermal calculations on the absorption cycle, enthalpy data must be available for the
working substances at all crucial positions in the cycle
• Water in liquid and vapour forms flows in and out of the condenser & evaporator, so
enthalpies at these points can be determined from a table of properties of water
• In the generator and absorber, LiBr-water solutions exist for which enthalpy is a function
of both - solution temperature and concentration

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 Calculation of Enthalpy, Q and COP

Ex. 17.3 : For absorption system of previous example, compute qg, qc, qa, qe & COP
Data from Previous Exam ple
m1 = 0.6 Kg/s, m2 = 0.452 Kg/s, m3 = m4 = m5 = 0.148 Kg/s, X1 =0.5 and X2 =0.664
Enthalpy of Solution from Fig. 17.8
• at 30 °C and x1 of 50%  h1 = -168 kJ/kg
• At 100 °C and x2 of 66.4%  h2 = -52 kJ/kg
Enthalpy of water are fond from Table A.1 as:
• h3 = hvapor @ 100 C = 2676 KJ/Kg
• h4 = hliquid @ 40 C = 167.5 KJ/Kg
• h5 = hvapor @ 10 C = 2520 KJ/Kg

Now from Energy Balance, heat transfer rates are established as:
  
  
Qg  m3 h3  m2 h2  m1 h1  473.3KW Qa  m2 h2  m5 h5  m1 h1  450.3KW
   
Qe  m5 h5  m4 h4  384.2 KW Qc  m3 h3  m4 h4  371.2 KW
Qe 348.2
COP    0.736
Q g 476.6

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 Absorption cycle with heat exchanger

• By addition of heat exchanger, the COP increases

• The heat-exchanger transfers heat between the two streams of solutions
• It heats the cool solution from the absorber on its way to the generator and cools the
solution returning from the generator to the absorber

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Example 17.4
A water-LiBr absorption refrigeration system is shown (see figure). The temperature
at point 2 is 52 °C. The mass flow rate delivered by the solution pump is 0.6 kg/s.
What are the rates of energy transfer at each of the components and the COP of this
cycle? Also, what is the temperature at state 4?

The solution of Ex. Show that Qa reduces while Qg reduces slightly and increases
COP to 0.783 (from 0.736)

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 Crystallization
• Crystallization occurs when the solution state is on right side of
crystallization line on P-T-C diagram

• Dropping into this region formation of a slash or solidification of Solution,

which can block the flow in a pipe and stop the operation of absorption unit
• Crystallization must be avoiding by proper designing
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• See Example 17.5
 Capacity Control

Capacity Control ; It reduces the reduction to a desired level. Without

capacity control a given system yields maximum refrigeration. The
control can be achieved by following three methods :
 Reducing flow rate delivered by pump at Staion1
 Reducing generator Temperature
 Increasing the condensing Temperature

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 Other Systems

Many Other Systems including combination with other cycles and

different combination of refrigerant and absorber. Few commonly
used systems are listed here:
 Double Effect Units
 Combined absorption and vapor compression system
 Aqua Ammonia System

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 Aqua-Ammonia System
• In aqua-ammonia absorption system, water is used as an absorbent while
ammonia is used as a refrigerant
• The system consists of all the components i.e., generator, absorber,
condenser, evaporator, and heat exchanger---- plus a rectifier & analyzer

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 Aqua-Ammonia System
• Aqua-ammonia system uses ammonia serve as the refrigerant and water as
absorber, or transport media
• Dissolution of NH3 into water is exothermic and inversely proportional to
temperature. The work input to the pump is usually very small, and the COP of
absorption refrigeration systems is defined as

Cooling effect
COPabs 
Work input
QL QL
 
Qgen  W p ,in Qgen

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 Assignments / Self Study

• Example 17.1 to 17.6, Solve your self

• Solve at-least 3 Problems

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