Optimal performance of an irreversible absorption refrigerator

Abstract

On the basis of endoreversible absorption refrigeration cycle model with the sole irreversibility of heat transfer between the working fluid and the heat reservoirs, an irreversible model of absorption refrigeration cycle with heat transfer law of q∝Δ(T−1), which includes the heat leak from the heat sink to the cooled space and irreversibilities due to the internal dissipation of the working fluid besides the finite-rate heat transfer between the working fluid and the external heat reservoirs, is established and used to derive the relation between the optimal coefficient of performance and the cooling load and the optimal distribution of the heat-transfer surface areas of the heat exchangers. The practical optimal regions of the cycle are determined and new bounds of the primary performance parameters are given. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the performance characteristic of endoreversible and irreversible cycles.