VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
KME-601
SIMPLE VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
The principle of vapour absorption was first discovered by
Michael Faraday in 1824 while performing a set of experiments
to liquify certain gases.
The first vapour absorption refrigeration machine was
developed by a French scientist, Ferdinand Carre in 1860.
This system may be used in both the domestic and large
industrial refrigerating plants.
The refrigerant, commonly used in a vapour absorption system,
is ammonia.
SIMPLE VAPOUR ABSORPTION
SYSTEM
SIMPLE VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
SIMPLE VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
The simple vapour absorption system consists ofan absorber, a
pump, a generator and a pressure reducing valve to replace the
compressor of vapour compression system.
The other components of the system are condenser, receiver,
expansion valve and evaporator as in the vapour compression
system.
In this system, the low pressure ammonia vapour leaving the
evaporator enters the absorber where it is absorbed by the cold water
in the absorber. The water has the ability to absorb very large
quantities of ammonia vapour and the solution, thus formed, is known
as aqua-ammonia.
The absorption of ammonia vapour in water lowers the pressure
SIMPLE VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
Some form of cooling arrangement (usually water cooling) is
employed in the absorber to remove the heat of solution
evolved there. This is necessary in order to inçrease the
absorption capacity of water, because at higher temperature
water absorbs less ammonia vapour.
The strong solution thus formed in the absorber is pumped to
the generator by the liquid pump. The pump increases the
pressure of the solution up to 10 bar.
The strong solution of ammonia in the generator is heated by
some external source such as gas or steam. During the heating
process, the ammonia vapour is driven off the solution at high
pressure leaving behind the hot weak ammonia solution in the
generator.
SIMPLE VAPOUR ABSORPTION
SYSTEM
SIMPLE VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
This weak ammonia solution flows back to the absorber at
low pressure after passing through the pressure reducing valve.
The high pressure ammonia vapour from the generator is
condensed in the condenser to a high pressure liquid ammonia.
This liquid ammonia is passed to the expansion valve through
the receiver and then to the evaporator. This completes the
simple vapour absorption cycle.
The vapour absorption system uses heat energy (low grade energy),
instead of mechanical energy (high grade energy) as in vapour
compression systems, in order to change the conditions of the
refrigerant required for the operation of the refrigeration cycle.
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
The simple absorption system as discussed is not very
economical.
In order to improve the performance and working of the plant
following accessories are fitted.
1. Analyser
2. Rectifier
3. Heat exchangers
These accessories help to improve the performance and
working of the plant.
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION SYSTEM
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
SYSTEM
1. Analyser-
When ammonia is vaporised in the generator, some water is also
vaporised and will flow into the condenser along with the ammonia
vapours in the simple system.
If these unwanted water particles are not removed before entering
into the condenser, they will enter into Expansion valve where they
freeze and choke the pipeline. In order to remove these unwanted
Particles flowing to the condenser, an analyser is used.
The analyser may be built as an integral part of the generator or
made as a separate piece of equipment. It consists of a series of
trays mounted above the generator.
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
SYSTEM
1. Analyser-
The strong solution from the absorber and the aqua from the
rectifier are introduced at the top of the analyser and flow
downward over the trays and into the generator.
In this way, considerable liquid surface area is exposed to the
vapour rising from the generator. The vapour is cooled and most of
the water vapour condenses, so that mainly ammonia vapour
(approximately 99%) leaves the top of the analyser.
Since the aqua is heated by the vapour, less external heat is
required in the generator.
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION SYSTEM
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
SYSTEM
2. Rectifier –
In case the water vapours are not completely removed in the
analyser, a closed type vapour cooler called rectifier (also known as
dehydrator) is used.
It is generally water cooled and its function is to cool further the
ammonia vapours leaving the analyser so that the remaining water
vapours are condensed.
Thus, only dry or anhydrous ammonia vapours flow to the condenser.
The condensate from the rectifier is turned to the top of the analyser
by a drip return pipe.
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
3. Heat exchangers-I.
The heat exchanger provided between the pump and the generator
is used to cool the weak hot solution returning from the generator
to the absorber.
The heat removed from the weak solution raises the temperature
of the strong solution leaving the pump and going to analyser and
generator.
This operation reduces the heat supplied to the generator and the
amount of cooling required for the absorber.
Thus the economy of the plant increases.
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION SYSTEM
PRACTICAL/ACTUAL VAPOUR
ABSORPTION SYSTEM
4. Heat exchangers-II.
The heat exchanger provided between the condenser and the
evaporator may also be called liquid sub-cooler.
In this heat exchanger, the liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser
is sub-cooled by the low temperature ammonia vapour from the
evaporator as shown in figure.
This sub-cooled liquid is now passed to the expansion valve and
then to the evaporator.
COEFFICIENT OF
PERFORMANCE
In this system, the net refrigerating effect is the heat absorbed
by the refrigerant in the evaporator. The total energy supplied to
the system is the sum of work done by the pump and the heat
supplied in the generator. Therefore, the coefficient of
performance of the system is given by
Heat absorbed in Evaporator
C.O.P.
Work done by Pump Heat supplied in Generator
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE
Although the C.O.P. (Q / W +Q ) is low, the absorption units are
E p G
usually built when waste heat is available, and they are built in
relatively bigger sizes.
One current application of the absorption system that may grow in
importance is the utilization of solar energy for the generator heat
source of a refrigerator for food preservation and perhaps for
comfort cooling.
While the vapour compression refrigeration system requires the
expenditure of high grade energy in the form of shaft-work to drive
the compressor with the disadvantage of vibration and noise, the
absorption refrigeration system requires only ‘low grade’ energy in
the form of heat to drive it, and it is relatively silent in operation
and subject to little wear.
PROPERTIES OF IDEAL REFRIGERANT
1. The vapour characteristics should be such that will permit
boiling at 2°C to 10°C and condensation at 40°C or above, at
pressure not far from atmospheric.
2. Large latent heat of vaporisation.
3. High critical temperature.
4. Low specific heat.
5. Stability in complete cycle.
PROPERTIES OF IDEAL
ABSORBENT
1. Greater affinity for the refrigerant.
2. When refrigerant is absorbed by the absorbent, heat liberated
should be minimum.
3. High boiling point.
4. Low specific heat.
5. Chemical stability.
PROPERTIES OF
IDEAL REFRIGERANT-ABSORBENT
COMBINATION
The combination should possess the following qualities:
1. The refrigerant should have high affinity for the absorber at low
temperature and les affinity at high temperature.
2. The mixture should have low specific heat and low viscosity.
3. The mixture (solution) should be non-corrosive.
4. The mixture should have a small heat.
5. The mixture should have low freezing point.
6. There should be a large difference in the normal boiling points
of the refrigerants and the absorbent.
REFRIGERANT-ABSORBENT
COMBINATION
Hoirworth listed 49 refrigerants coupled with various absorbents
to give 180 combinations as possibilities.
Out of the many combinations tried so far the following two
combinations remained in common use in air-conditioning
applications:
1. Ammonia-water combination.
2. Lithium-bromide water combination.
Ammonia-water absorption system finds a significant place in
large tonnage industrial applications.
REFRIGERANT-ABSORBENT
COMBINATION
Ammonia-water combination which is largely used possesses most
of the desirable qualities which are listed below:
1. 1 m3 of water absorbs 800 m3 of NH3.
2. Latent heat of NH3 at -15°C=1314 kJ/kg
3. Critical temperature of NH3 = 132.6°C.
4. Boiling point at atmospheric pressure = -33.3°C.
The only disadvantage is that it generates more heat in absorber
when it is absorbed, therefore cooling must be provided and
special material should be used as it is corrosive to metals.
ADVANTAGES OF VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM OVER VAPOUR
COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
No moving part in the system except the aqua pump-motor. The
pump-motor is quite small as compared to the compressor-motor
in vapour compression system. The vapour compression system
of the same capacity has more wear, tear and noise due to
moving parts of the compressor.
Quiet in operation, very little wear, and low maintenance cost.
Any readily source of thermal energy (process steam, hot
exhaust from furnaces, solar energy) may be used for the
generator. Hence can be used in places where electrical energy
is not available, or is costly.
Can be built in capacities much larger than that for compressor
unit. (The vapour absorption system can be built in capacities
well above 1000 tonnes of refrigeration each, which is the
largest size for single compressor units).
ADVANTAGES OF VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM OVER VAPOUR
COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Steam which is used for winter heating, same can be used in
summer for heating in the generator.
In practice the temperature of vapour leaving the generator is of
the order 340 K against about 420 K in case of vapour
compression system. Therefore smaller condenser is required in
the former than in the latter.
The capacity of the absorption system is controlled (and
maintained) by adjusting the steam or generator temperature
even if the evaporator pressure falls. On the other hand the
capacity of the compression system decreases rapidly with the
reduced evaporator pressure.
The absorption system can be operated at the designed C.O.P.
even at part loads or reduced evaporator conditions by the
appropriate control of generator temperature.
ADVANTAGES OF VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM OVER VAPOUR
COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
The load variations do not affect the performance of a vapour
absorption system. The load variations are met by controlling the
quantity of aqua circulated and the quantity of steam supplied to
the generator. The performance of vapour compression system is
poor at partial loads.
The absorption system is much more compact and less bulky than
the compression system for large capacity.
The space requirements and automatic control requirements
favour the absorption system more and more as the desired
evaporator temperature drops.
C.O.P. OF AN IDEAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
In an ideal vapour absorption refrigeration system,
a) The heat (QG) is given to the refrigerant in the generator,
b) The heat (QC) is discharged to the atmosphere or cooling water
from the condenser and absorber,
c) The heat (QE) is absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator,
and
d) The heat (QP) is added to the refrigerant due to pumpwork.
Neglecting the heat due to pump work (QP), we have according to
first law of thermodynamics,
QC = Q G + Q E
C.O.P. OF AN IDEAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Q = Q + Q
C G E
Let,
TG = Temperature at which heat (QG) is given to the generator,
TC = Temperature at which heat (QC) is discharged to atmosphere or
cooling water from the condenser and absorber, and
TE = Temperature at which heat (QE) is absorbed in the evaporator.
Since the vapour absorption system can be considered as a perfectly
reversible system, therefore the initial entropy of the system must be
equal to the entropy of the system after the change in its condition.
QG QE QC
TG TE TC
Maximum coefficient of performance of the system is given by
C.O.P. OF AN IDEAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Thus an ideal vapour absorption refrigerator system may be
regarded as combination of a Carnot engine and a Carnot
refrigerator to produce the desired refrigeration effect as shown in
figure below
C.O.P. OF AN IDEAL VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX (AMMONIA HYDROGEN)
REFRIGERATOR
DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX (AMMONIA HYDROGEN)
REFRIGERATOR
The domestic absorption type refrigerator was invented by two Swedish
engineers, Carl Munters and Baltzer Von Platan, in 1925 while they
were studying for their undergraduate course of Royal Institute of
Technology in Stockholm. The idea was first developed by the
‘Electrolux Company’ of Luton, England.
This type of refrigerator is also called three-fluid absorption system.
The main purpose of this system is to eliminate the pump so that in the
absence of moving parts the machine becomes noiseless.
The three fluids used in this system are ammonia, hydrogen and
water.
DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX (AMMONIA HYDROGEN)
REFRIGERATOR
1. Ammonia
The ammonia is used as a refrigerant because it possesses most of the
desirable properties.
It is toxic, but due to absence of moving parts, there is very little chance
for the leakage and the total amount of refrigerant used is small.
2. Hydrogen
The hydrogen, being the lightest gas, is used to increase the rate of
evaporation of the liquid ammonia passing through the evaporator .
The hydrogen is also non-corrosive and insoluble in water.
This is used in the low-pressure side of the system.
3. Water
The water is used as a solvent because it has the ability to absorb
ammonia readily.
DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX (AMMONIA HYDROGEN)
REFRIGERATOR
The liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser flows under gravity to
the evaporator where it meets the hydrogen gas.
The hydrogen gas which is being fed to the evaporator permits the
liquid ammonia to evaporate at a low pressure and temperature
according to Dalton's principle.
During the process of evaporation, the ammonia absorbs latent heat
from the refrigerated space and thus produces cooling effect.
The mixture of ammonia vapour and hydrogen is passed to the
absorber where ammonia is absorbed in water while the hydrogen
rises to the top and flows back to the evaporator.
DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX (AMMONIA HYDROGEN)
REFRIGERATOR
DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX (AMMONIA HYDROGEN)
REFRIGERATOR
This completes the cycle. The coefficient of performance of this
refrigerator is given by :
Notes:
1. The hydrogen gas only circulates from the absorber to the
evaporator and back.
2. The whole cycle is carried out entirely by gravity flow of the
refrigerant.
3. It cannot be used for industrial purposes as the C.O.P. of the system
is very low.
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
The lithium bromide absorption refrigeration system uses a
solution of lithium bromide in water.
In this system, the water is being used as a refrigerant whereas
lithium bromide. which is a highly hydroscopic salt, as an
absorbent.
The lithium bromide solution has a strong affinity for water vapour
because of its very low vapour pressure.
Since lithium bromide solution is corrosive, therefore, inhibitors
should be added in order to protect the metal parts of the system
against corrosion. Lithium chromate is often used as a corrosion
inhibitor.
This system is very popular for air-conditioning in which low
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
In this system, the absorber and the evaporator are placed in one
shell which operates at the same low pressure of the system.
The generator and condenser are placed in another shell which
operates at the same high pressure of the system.
The water for air-conditioning coils or process requirements is
chilled as it is pumped through the chilled water tubes in the
evaporator by giving up heat to the refrigerant water sprayed over
the tubes.
The sprayed refrigerant water hence evaporates and water vapour
thus formed will be absorbed by the strong Lithium Bromide
solution which is sprayed in the absorber.
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
In absorbing the water vapour, the Lithium Bromide solution helps
in maintaining very low pressure (high vacuum) needed in the
evaporator, and the solution becomes weak.
This weak solution is pumped by a pump to the generator it is
heated up by using steam or hot water in the heating coils.
A portion of water is evaporated by the heat and the solution now
becomes more strong. This strong solution is passed through the
heat exchanger and then sprayed in the absorber.
The weak solution of lithium bromide from the absorber to the
generator is also passed through the heat exchanger.
This weak solution gets heat from the strong solution in the heat
exchanger, thus reducing the quantity of steam required to heat
the weak solution in the generator.
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
The refrigerant water vapours formed in the generator due to
heating of solution are passed to the condenser where they are
cooled and condensed by the cooling water flowing through the
condenser water tubes.
The cooling water for condensing is pumped from the cooling water
pond or tower. This cooling water first enters the absorber then the
condenser.
The condensate from the condenser is supplied to the evaporator to
compensate the water vapour formed in the evaporator.
The pressure reducing valve reduces the pressure of condensate
from the condenser pressure to the evaporator pressure.
LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM
The cooled water from the evaporator is pumped and sprayed in
the evaporator in order to cool the water for air-conditioning
flowing through the chilled tubes. This completes the cycle.
The pressure difference between the generator and the absorber
and the gravity due to the height difference of the two shells is
utilised to create the pressure for the spray.
