Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

Vapor Compression & Absorption

Refrigeration Cycles
 Vapor Compression Cycle
▪ Vapor compression cycle is a work operated cycle.
▪ Elevation of refrigerant pressure is accomplished by a compressor
that requires work. Qc

CONDENSER
1

EXPANSION Valve
COMPRESSOR
Qe

Evaporator 4
3 4
 Absorption Refrigeration Cycle
• The absorption refrigeration cycle is heat operated cycle.
• Operating cost is associated providing heat that drives the vapor
to a high pressure liquid.
Qg HIGH PRESSURE VAPOR
GENERATOR Condenser Qc

Solution Throttling EV
Pump Valve

Qa LOW PRESSURE VAPOR

ABSORBER Evaporator
Qe
 Comparison
Vapor Compression & Absorption refrigeration Cycle

▪ The vapor compression cycle is work operated whereas the

absorption refrigeration cycle is a heat operated cycle.
▪ Coefficient of performance of absorption refrigeration cycle is
lesser than the coefficient of performance of vapor compression
cycle.
▪ In place of the compressor the absorption refrigeration cycle
uses the absorber and generator
▪ The cooling tower capacity of the absorption refrigeration cycle
twice the capacity required by the vapor compression cycle.
 Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

WATER COOLED COOLING TOWER

GENERATOR CONDENSER

Basin

SOLUTION
PUMP THROTTLING
VALVE EV

BLOWER

COOLING
COIL
EVAPORATOR
ABSORBER CHILLED WATER
PUMP COOLING WATER
PUMP

Cooling Requirement is two times of the vapor compression cycle

Coefficient of performance of ideal absorption cycle

Refrigeration rate
• COP abs =
Rate of heat addition at generator

COP abs = Qe / Qg
Two Refrigerants for Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

▪ Aqua Ammonia
▪ Water + Lithium Bromide
 Absorption Refrigeration Cycle
Power Cycle Refrigeration Cycle

Ts Tc
Qg Qc

Qa
Ta Tr Qe

Heat Operated refrigeration cycle as a combination of a power cycle and

refrigeration cycle
Temperature Pressure Concentration Properties
Lithium Bromide – Water Solutions

Water vapor Water vapor

P = 7.38 kPa P = 7.38 kPa

Li Br-water
Pure water
Solution
40 O C 80 oC, 59% Li Br

Equilibrium water – vapor pressure

Absorption Refrigeration Cycle Capacity Control
▪ Capacity control is capacity reduction. When the
refrigeration load drops, the chilled water temperature
decreases in the absorption unit.
▪ Without capacity control, the absorption unit yields
maximum refrigeration capacity, the temperature of the
chilled water from the evaporator decreases. The
pressure on the low pressure side of the absorption unit
also decreases. The low side pressure could reduce to
the point where the refrigerant water would freeze.
Three Methods Reducing the Refrigeration Capacity

▪ Reduce the mass or the mass flow rate delivered by the

solution pump.
▪ Reducing the generator temperature.
▪ Increasing the condensing temperature.
 Types of Absorption Refrigeration Cycle
▪ Single Effects – basic absorption refrigeration cycle.
• Have a single generator
• Advantage - Less First Cost
• Disadvantage - Higher operating cost
▪ Double Effects – With a second generator (generator II). Uses the
condensing water vapor from generator I to provide the supply of
heat.
• Have two generators
• Have two heat exchangers
• Advantage - Less operating cost
• Disadvantage - Higher first cost
Single Effect Absorption Refrigeration Cycle
Double Effect Absorption Refrigeration Unit
Double Effect Absorption Refrigeration Unit
Sample Problems
I. Compute the rate flow of refrigerant through the condenser and evaporator in the
cycle shown in figure if the pump delivers 0.6 kg/s and the following temperatures
prevail: generator 105°C; condenser, 35°C; evaporator, 12°C; and absorber, 28°C.

105°C 35°C
Qg m3
GENERATOR Condenser Qc
3

m4
m1= 0.6 kg/s m2

4
1 2

Qa
m5 5
ABSORBER Evaporator Qe

28°C 12°C
• Given:
From figure 17-5
X1 = 47 %
h3 = hg@ 105°C = 2683.75 Kj/kg
X2 = 70 %
h4 = hf@ 35°C = 146.56 Kj/kg
h5 = hg@ 12°C = 2523.6 Kj/kg
From figure 17-8
h1 = -165 kj/kg
h2 = -50 kj/kg
w1 = w2 + w3 = 0.6 kg/s
w3 = w 4 = w 5
• Solution:
w1X1 = w2X2
w2 = (w1X1) / X2
w2 = (0.6 kg/s)(0.47) / (0.70)
w2 = 0.40286 kg/s

mass flow rate (w3) = w1 – w2

w3 = 0.6 kg/s – 0.40286 kg/s
w3 = 0.197142 kg/s
II. For the absorption system of example 1 shown in figure compute Qg, Qa, Qc,
Qe, and the COP.

a. For generator (Qg)

Qg Energy balance:
Qg + w1h1 = w2h2 + w3h3
Generator Qg = w2h2 + w3h3 - w1h1
105oC Qg = 0.40286 (-50) + 0.197(2683.75) – 0.6(-165)
w3 h3
Qg = 607.556 KW
w1 h1 w2 h2
b. for Condenser (Qc)

Qc
Energy balance:
Qc + w4h4 = w3h3
Condenser
w3 h 3 35 °C Qc = w3h3 – w4h4
Qc = 0.197(2683.75) – 0.197(146.56)
w4 h 4 Qc = 499.83 KW
c. for Evaporator (Qe)

Qe
Energy balance:
Qe + w4h4 = w5h5
Evaporator Qe = w5h5 – w4h4
w5 h5 12 °C Qe = 0.197(2523.60) – 0.197(146.56)
Qe = 468.28 KW
w4 h4
 d. for Absorber (Qa)

w1 h1
Energy balance:
w2 h2
Qa + w1h1 = w2h2 + w5h5
Qa = w2h2 + w5h5 – w1h1
Absorber
Qa = -0.6(-165) + 0.197(2523.60) + 0.40286
28 °C w5 h5 (-50)
Qa = 576.0062 KW
Qg
e. Coefficient of performance (COP)

COP = Qe / Qg
COP = 468.28 KW / 607.556 KW
COP = 0.77071
III. The simple cycle operating at the temperature shown is modified by the
insertion of a heat exchanger, such that the temperature at point 2 is 52°C. the
mass rate flow deliver by the solution pump is 0.06 kg/s. what are the rates of
energy transfer at each component and the COP of this cycle
100°C 40°C
Qg m5
GENERATOR Condenser Qc
5
2 m2 m3 3
m6
HE, 52 °C
6

1 4

m1= 0.6 kg/s m4

7
m7
ABSORBER Evaporator
Qa Qe
30°C 10°C
Given:
From figure 17-5
X1 = X2 = 50 %
X3 =X4 = 66.4 %
h5 = hg@ 100°C = 2676.0 Kj/kg
h6 = hf@ 40°C = 167.5 Kj/kg
h7 = hg@ 10°C = 2520.0 Kj/kg

From figure 17-8

h1 = -168 kj/kg w1 = w2 = 0.6 kg/s
h2 = -120 kj/kg w3 = w4
h3 = -52 kj/kg w5 = w6 = w7 = w1 – w3
Solution:
w1X1 = w4X4
w4 = (w1X1) / X2
w4 = (0.6 kg/s)(0.50) / (0.664)
w4 = 0.452 kg/s

mass flow rate (w5) = w1 – w4

w5 = 0.6 kg/s – 0.452 kg/s
w5 = 0.1482 kg/s
h4 = ? (Energy balance at Heat Exchanger)

w3 h3 Energy balance:
w2 h2
w4h4 + w2h2 = w1h1 + w3h3
h4 = (w1h1 + w3h3 – w2h2) / w4
h4 = [0.6(-168) + 0.452(-52) - 0.6 (-
120)] / (0.452)
w1 h1 w4 h4 h4 = -116 Kj/kg
 a. for generator (Qg)

Qg Energy balance:
Qg + w2h2 = w3h3 + w5h5
Generator Qg = w3h3 + w5h5 – w2h2
100 °C w5 h5 Qg = 0.452 (-52) + 0.1482(2676.) – 0.6(-
120)

w2 h2 w3 h3
Qg = 444.5 KW
 b. for Absorber (Qa)

w4 h4 w1 h1 Energy balance:
Qg + w1h1 = w4h4 + w7h7
Qa = w4h4 + w7h7 – w1h1
Absorber
Qa = 0.452 (-116) + 0.1482 (2520) - 0.6 (-168)
30 °C
w7 h7 Qa = 421.3 KW

Qg
 c. For Condenser (Qc)

Qc
Energy balance:
Qc + w6h6 = w5h5
Condenser Qc = w5h5 – w6h6
w5 h5 30 °C Qc = 0.1482(2676.0) – 0.1482(167.5)
Qc = 371.2 KW
w6 h6
 d. for Evaporator (Qe)

Qe
Energy balance:
Qe + w6h6 = w7h7
Evaporator Qe = w7h7 – w6h6
w7 h7 12 °C Qe = 0.1482(2520.0) – 0.1482(167.5)
Qe = 348.2 KW
w6 h6
e. Coefficient of Performance (COP)

COP = Qe / Qg
COP = 348.2 / 444.5
COP = 0.783
 IV. A combined absorption and vapor compression system, as shown in figure,
is energized with high pressure steam that undergoes the following conditions
through the steam turbine and absorption unit:
Position Pressure, Enthalpy, Flow rate,
kPa kJ/kg kg/s
Entering Turbine 1500 3080 1.2
Leaving turbine and 100 2675 1.2
entering absorption
unit
Condensate leaving 100 419 1.2
absorption unit.
The COP of the vapor compression unit is 3.6, and the COP of the
absorption unit is 0.7. What is the total refrigerating capacity and the
COP of the combined system?
 High Pressure steam

Steam
Compressor
Turbine

Low Pressure steam

Condenser

Condensate
Water to be
Chilled
Chilled
Water
Evaporator

Vapor Compression Unit Absorption Unit

Combined absorption and vapor compression cycle

 Solution:

a. If heat loss from the steam turbine is neglected, the power deliver by
the turbine P equals that extracted from the steam as it flows through the
turbine

P = (1.2 kg/s) (3080 – 2675) kJ/kg

P = 486 kW

The refrigerating capacity of the vapor compression

system Qvc is

Q vc = (P) (COP)
Q vc = (486kW) (3.6)
Q vc = 1750 kW
The rate of heat addition to the absorption unit is

1.2 kg/s (2675 – 419) kJ/kg = 2707 kW

and the refrigerating capacity of the absorption unit Q abs is

Q abs = (P) (COP)

Q abs = (2707kW)(0.7)
Q abs = 1895 kW

The total Refrigerating capacity Q total is therefore

Q total = Qvc + Qabs

Q total = 1750 + 1895
Q total = 3645 kW
b. The COP of the combined system, which is heat operated refrigerating
unit, is the quotient of Q total and the total rate of heat supplied.

COP Combined = 3645 kW / [(1.2)(3080 – 419)]

COP combined = 1.14
Which is favorable COP for a heat operated unit
Absorption vs. Vapor Compression Cycle
 ABSORPTION vs COMPRESSION
Compression Cycle Heat Absorption Cycle
(COP=Qe/Qg=100/29=3.5) (COP=Qe/Qg=100/80=1.2)
(Qg=80)
Electricit energy Absorbent Cooling
(Qg=29) (LiBr)
Compresso y Water
r Generator (Qc=180)

Cooling Chilled
Water Water
Absorber Chilled
(Qc=129) (Qe=100)
Water
(Qe=100)
Condenser Evaporator
Condenser Evaporator
Refrigerant
Refrigerant
 Advantage of Absorption Chiller
VAPOR COMPRESSION
ABSORPTION CHILLER
CHILLER
Town Gas, Oil, Steam, Hot
Big Electricity
Water
Energy Source Expensive Power
Small Electricity
Receiving Facility
Refrigerant: H2O Refrigerant: CFC’s, HCFC’s,
Absorbent: LiBr HFC
Heat Medium
Safe and Harmless Environmental Pollution

Static Process Dynamic Process

Principle Low Noise and Vibration Noise and Vibration
 Type of Chillers
Method Type Refrigerant Energy Source
Low Pressure Steam
Absorption

Single Effect (0.8-1.5 kg/cm2 G)

Steam or Hot Hot Water (90 ≈ 150°C)

water Power High Pressure Steam (0.8-

Double Effect H2O 8 kg/cm2 G)
Hot Water (180 ≈ 200°C)
Double Effect
Direct Fired Gas, Oil

Centrifugal R-11, 12, 22, 113, 114

R-22, 12
Compression Screw Electricity
Reciprocating R-22, 12
 Schedule of CFC & HCFC Phase Out
100
CFC’s HCFC’s

65
Montreal Protocol
50 Montreal Protocol (Revised)
(Revised) 35
25

10
0.5
’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 2000 2010 2010 2020
 Flow Rate Recovered Steam

Double Effect – 49 Kg steam/ hour/ TR @ 115 psi

Single Effect – 8 Kg steam/ hour/ TR @ 15 psi

Single Effect – 0.0317 L/ sec/ TR @ 110°C

 Source Temperature

High Grade – Above 650°C

Medium Grade – 230°C - 650°C

Low Grade – Below 230°C

 3000 1650
1

Temperature °C
2500 1370
Temperature °F

2
2000 1100
High Grade Heat
1500 3 820
4
1000 5 540
Medium Grade Heat 6 7
8
500 260
Low Grade Heat 9 10
0 -20
1. Nickel Refinery
2. Glass Furnace
3. Solid Waste Incineration Process Steam Condensate
4. Cement Kiln
5. Annealing Furnace
6. Reciprocating Engine Exhaust Air Compressor Cooling Water
7. Gas Turbine Exhaust
8. Steam Boiler Exhaust
9. Annealing Furnace Cooling Water
10. IC Engine Cooling Water
 Economics of Absorption System
ABSORPTION
Cost / TR Capacity Unit cost
Double Effect Chiller US $ 1300 / TR 240 TR 312,000
Cooling Tower, Pump & US $ 480 / TR
240 TR 115,200
Piping
US $ 220 / TR 240 TR
Heat Recovery Equipment 52,800

Toral Cost $ 480,000

RECIPROCATING AIR COOLED CHILLER

Cost / TR Capacity Unit cost
Cost of Chiller US $ 1292 / TR 240 TR 310,080
Total Cost $ 310,080
ABSORPTION ELECTRICAL USE
Consumption/ TR Capacity Consumption
Chiller 0.023 KW/ TR 240 TR 5.52
0.0932 KW/ TR
Cooling Water Pump 240 TR 22.37

0.0965 KW/ TR 240 TR

Cooling Tower Fan 23.16

Total Cost 51.05 KW

• ANNUAL COST OF RUNNING ABSORPTION CHILLER @ P 10/kWh
51.05 kW x P10/kWh x 12 hours x 365 days/year = P 2,235,990.00
COST RUNNING AIR COOLED RECIPROCATING CHILLER 0.9 kW/TR
240 TR x 0.9 kW/TR x P10/kWh x 12 hours x 365 days/year = P 9,460,800.00
ANNUAL OPERATING COST SAVINGS
P 9,460,800.00 – P 2,235,990.00 = P 7,224,810.00
EQUIPMENT DIFFERENTIAL COST
$ 480,000.00 – $ 310,080.00 = $ 169,920.00 or P 8,835,840.00
PAYBACK PERIOD
P 8,835,840.00 / P 7,224,810.00 = 1.222 years