Experimental study of an absorption heat transformer with heat recycling to the generator

Abstract

An experimental study of an absorption heat transformer-water purification system with a single effect evaporation was carried out. The distillation process is able to recover heat for the generator; therefore, the initial operating conditions change to improve the performance of the absorption equipment. The working solution was LiBr–H2O in a concentration range from 54.9% to 55.8%. On the other hand, an absorber of graphite disks was used to diminish the leaks caused by the working solution corrosion. The best performance of the absorber happened for a mass flux of a working solution of 0.014kg/s, obtaining a heat transfer up to 635W. The coefficient of performance was improved because the absorption process was done with a higher mass flux of refrigerant, strong working solution, and temperature, obtaining more useful heat. The maximum heat recovered from the distillation process was of 541W with a flow of distilled water of 888mL/h and coefficient of performance of 0.391, searching a useful heat of 1157W, a strong working solution concentration of 55.5% and a temperature increment of 0.92°C.