Abstract
At present, novel, small-to-large capacity absorption chillers with unique technical features have emerged on the global market, and laboratory and pre-industrial prototypes have also been developed. These chillers have been designed for the efficient use of low-grade heat sources; some are air-cooled, small capacity systems; compact water/LiBr chillers; or solar-gas-fired single/double-effect chillers. Also, some advanced commercial absorption chillers have an extensive temperature glide in the driving heat stream (>30 K) which extracts approximately twice as much heat (~200%) as the single-effect chiller. This large temperature glide means that the chillers are well suited to solar thermal collector installations and district heating networks, and the extra driving heat increases cold production. Moreover, recent advances in R718 turbo compressor technologies have helped to solve the problems water/LiBr absorption chillers have in adapting to extreme operating conditions (e.g., high ambient temperature, >35 °C) by using a compressor-boosted absorption chiller configuration. This review paper presents and discusses the developments and progress in these absorption chiller technologies. In summary, the new absorption chillers may be useful for developing efficient, cost-effective, and robust solar cooling solutions that are needed to mitigate the unsustainable impact of the rising global demand for space cooling.
Highlights
According to an International Energy Agency (IEA) [1] report, the global energy required for space cooling applications will increase three-fold over the 30 years if the current policies and targets are continued
In addition to individual solar thermal cooling applications, the large temperature glide in the driving hot water and the low return temperature are especially suitable for the operating conditions in the district heating (DH) networks and for delivering cold with this chiller during summer
The use of solar energy for space cooling applications is an attractive green solution that can reduce the strain on the electrical grid, especially at peak hours, while decreasing fossil fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions
Summary
According to an International Energy Agency (IEA) [1] report, the global energy required for space cooling applications will increase three-fold over the 30 years (i.e., it will rise to 6200 TWh by 2050) if the current policies and targets are continued. Solar thermal energy-driven systems for space cooling and refrigeration applications are attractive solutions for three main reasons [1,3,4]: (1) they use natural refrigerants (such as ammonia and water) which have recently been pushed by national and international regulations (e.g., European F-gas regulation No 517/2014); (2) they consume less electricity and reduce peak electricity demand, which is especially beneficial in countries with significant cooling needs and electric grid constraints; and (3) the concurrence of solar radiation and the cooling demands of most buildings can save costly electricity in peak periods They help to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and their associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
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