Use of process steam in vapor absorption refrigeration system for cooling and heating applications: An exergy analysis

S Anand,Y Anand,S.K Tyagi,A Gupta,Raya Al-Dadah

doi:10.1080/23311916.2016.1160639

Abstract

AbstractThe exponential increase in cost of conventional fuels shifts the interest toward the use of alternative as well waste energy sources for the operation of refrigeration and air-conditioning units. The present study therefore analyzes the performance of a process steam-operated vapor absorption system for cooling and heating applications using ammonia and water as working fluids based on first and second laws of thermodynamics. A mathematical model has been developed based on exergy analysis to investigate the performance of the system. The different performance parameters such as coefficient of performance (COP) and exergetic efficiency of absorption system for cooling and heating applications are also calculated under different operating conditions. The results obtained show that cooling and heating COP along with second law efficiency (exergy efficiency) increases with the heat source temperature at constant evaporator, condenser, and absorber temperature. Also, COP as well as exergy efficiency ...

Highlights

The use of the refrigeration systems in the present times for cooling and heating applications has increased enormously which contribute to a considerable amount of the energy consumption
The varying behavior of coefficient of performance (COP) and exergy efficiency of the absorption system for cooling and heating applications with generator temperatures is shown in Figure 2 and it becomes evident that with the rise in generator temperature, the COP for cooling and heating applications as well as exergetic efficiency shows a rising trend
The generated simulation program using the first and second laws of thermodynamics to predict the performance process steam-based single-effect ammonia–water vapor absorption system revealed that operating parameters affect the performance of the system

Summary

Introduction

The use of the refrigeration systems in the present times for cooling and heating applications has increased enormously which contribute to a considerable amount of the energy consumption. The conventional energy use for the cooling and heating applications increases the global warming product. The absorption cooling system is found to be more reliable option for cooling and heating applications because of its flexibility to be operated with low-grade energy sources. Peak electrical energy need during summer could practically be lowered with the use of absorption cooling systems because they can show flexibility of operation with the waste heat and low-grade heat (Kim & Park, 2007). The refrigerant is converted in to vapor phase in the generator from the refrigerant–absorbent pair with the use of heat and the reverse process is carried out in the absorber of the absorption refrigeration system (Gordon & Ng, 2000)

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Results

Conclusion