The impact of water flow configuration on crystallisation in LiBr/H2O absorption water heater

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Int. J Energy Technol and Policy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1504/IJETP.2011.039221· OSTI ID:1009476

Wang, Kai ^[1]; Abdelaziz, Omar ^[1]; Vineyard, Edward Allan ^[1]

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1. ORNL

Lithium Bromide (LiBr) strong solution entering the absorber tends to crystallise when the absorber temperature is increased for a fixed evaporating pressure. This is considered the key technical barrier for the development of a LiBr absorption heat pump water heater. There are several approaches to avoid the crystallisation problem, such as chemical crystallisation inhibitors, heat and mass transfer enhancement and thermodynamic cycle modification. This paper investigates and compares two flow configurations of LiBr absorption heat pump water heater to evaluate the allowable operating conditions for each. The simulation results indicated that introducing the process water through the absorber first results in lower absorber temperature and hence less tendency for crystallisation.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1009476
• Journal Information: Int. J Energy Technol and Policy, Journal Name: Int. J Energy Technol and Policy Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 7; ISSN 1472-8923
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ABSORPTION HEAT
Absorption heat pump
CRYSTALLIZATION
FLOW MODELS
FLUID FLOW
HEAT PUMPS
LITHIUM BROMIDES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
WATER HEATERS
control strategy
crystallization
water heater