Energy analysis of a diffusion absorption cooling system using lithium nitrate, sodium thiocyanate and water as absorbent substances and ammonia as the refrigerant

Abstract

A diffusion absorption cooling system is analyzed to determine the appropriate fluid for the unit, based on the coefficient of performance (COP) and operating conditions, by comparing lithium nitrate (LiNO3), sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) and water (H2O) as absorbent substances and by using ammonia (NH3) as the refrigerant. The presence of crystallization in the system is analyzed as a function of the generator and absorber temperatures. Additionally, the effects on the efficiency of the system from adding the inert gas helium (He) or hydrogen (H2) are studied. A mathematical model is developed and compared to experimental studies reported in the literature. At an evaporator temperature of −15 °C, a generator temperature of 120 °C and absorber and condenser temperatures of 40 °C, the results show that the best performance is achieved by the NH3–LiNO3–He mixture, with a COP of 0.48. This mixture performs 27–46% more efficient than the NH3–NaSCN mixture. The NH3–H2O mixture is 52–69% less efficient than the NH3–LiNO3 mixture. However, when the evaporator runs at 7.5 °C, the NH3–H2O–He mixture achieves a more efficient COP than does the NH3–LiNO3–He mixture, and the NH3–NaSCN–He and NH3–LiNO3–He mixtures achieve the same COP when the evaporator is at 10 °C. At temperatures below 7.5 °C, the NH3–NaSCN–He mixture achieves a higher COP than does the NH3–H2O–He mixture. The NH3–LiNO3 mixture shows crystallization at higher temperatures in the generator than does the NH3–NaSCN mixture. Moreover, at the same evaporator temperature, the NH3–LiNO3 mixture works at activation temperatures lower than does the NH3–NaSCN mixture.