Modeling and simulation studies on single/double-effect absorption cycle using water-multicomponent salt (MCS) mixture

Abstract

This communication presents an investigation on modeling and simulation studies of single/double-effect absorption cooling systems using a water-multicomponent salt mixture vis-à-vis waterLiClCaCl 2Zn(NO 3) 2 solution as a working fluid. The computer modeling/simulation is based on mass, material, and heat balance equations for each component of the system. Effects of different input variables used for the computer modeling and simulation studies are investigated and a detailed parametric study of the double-effect cycle is carried out. A comparative study of the water-multicomponent salt (MCS) mixture and the conventional waterLiBr mixture is also presented for both single-stage and double-effect absorption cycles. It is found that the cooling COP of the double-effect cycle is nearly twice that of the single-stage cycle for both of the working fluids under the same operating conditions. The COP is higher for the water-multicomponent salt (MCS) mixture than for the waterLiBr case. The system feasibility and constraints are also discussed.