Performance assessment and solution procedure for series flow double-effect absorption refrigeration systems under critical operating constraints

Abstract

In this study, the effects of critical operational constraints on the operational domain of a double-effect lithium bromide/water absorption refrigeration system and its performance were investigated. These constraints were determined as the equivalence state of concentrations, the thermal unbalance between the system components of high-pressure condenser and low-pressure generator, freezing and crystallization risk of lithium bromide/water solution. For the system analysis, a simulation program was developed, and its detailed solution procedure was presented. The program outputs were initially validated with the literature. Subsequently, parametric studies were conducted for broad ranges of the component temperatures. The results demonstrate that the considered constraints were essential for acceptable design and the operational control of double-effect absorption refrigeration systems. The simulations will help to figure out under which operating conditions a double-effect absorption refrigeration system functions effectively and what kind of control strategies are essentially required to increase the coefficient of performance. Based on the operation scenario of fixed high-pressure generator temperature, the proposed system can enhance the coefficient of performance up to 31% and 84% as compared to its counterparts which function under the variable high-pressure generator temperature and the pinch point temperature difference (5K between the high-pressure condenser and the low-pressure generator), respectively.