Use of low grade heat sources in combined ejector–double effect absorption refrigeration systems

Abstract

At a particular temperature range, heat sources are not hot enough to drive lithium bromide double-effect absorption refrigeration systems efficiently and are too hot to be used for the single effect systems because of the risk of crystallization. To make effective use of heat sources at this temperature range for refrigeration purposes, a combined ejector–double effect absorption cycles are proposed. A computational model is developed to study and compare the effect of operating parameters on the performance of combined and conventional single- and double-effect cycles from the viewpoints of first and second laws of thermodynamics. In addition, because of the importance of crystallization risk in these systems, the effect of varying working conditions on the possibility of crystallization is investigated too. The results show the advantageous performance of the combined cycle compared to that of the single- and double-effect systems at particular ranges of heat source temperature. These temperature ranges are extended at lower evaporator and higher condenser or absorber temperatures.