Review of small-capacity single-stage continuous absorption systems operating on binary working fluids for cooling: Compact exchanger technologies

Abstract

• The functioning principle of single-stage continuous absorption systems is explained. • The different exchanger technologies studied in the literature are presented. • A heat and mass transfer performance comparison based on specific criteria is performed. • The implementation of the exchanger technologies in real experimental prototypes is discussed. • The advantages and disadvantages of each exchanger technology are discussed. Absorption systems have considerable potential to fight global warming and help transition to renewable energies. These machines use multifunctional exchangers (heat and mass transfer), which have been pointed out as the “bottleneck” in the performance of such systems, especially the absorber. The present review offers an up-to-date overview of the different exchanger technologies that have been studied and tested for small-capacity single-stage continuous absorption chillers operating on binary working fluids. The review focuses more particularly on the experimental studies of innovative exchanger technologies with conventional or special geometries, with or without mechanical treatments, tested on the three most experimented working pairs (NH 3 –H 2 O, H 2 O–LiBr, and NH 3 –LiNO 3 ). The use of chemical treatments is not covered. The main objective is to provide information to improve our understanding of how the exchanger technologies used in the mentioned systems have evolved over the past 40 years as well as the advantages and disadvantages for their different uses.