Development and proof-testing of advanced absorption refrigeration cycle concepts. Report on Phases 1 and 1A

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10148146· OSTI ID:10148146

Modahl, R. J.; Hayes, F. C. ^[1]

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1. Trane Co., La Crosse, WI (United States). Applied Unitary/Refrigeration Systems Div.

The overall objectives of this project are to evaluate, develop, and proof-test advanced absorption refrigeration cycles that are applicable to residential and commercial heat pumps for space conditioning. The heat pump system is to be direct-fired with natural gas and is to use absorption working fluids whose properties are known. Target coefficients of performance (COPs) are 1.6 at 47{degrees}F and 1.2 at 17{degrees} in the heating mode, and 0.7 at 95{degree}F in the cooling mode, including the effect of flue losses. The project is divided into three phases. Phase I entailed the analytical evaluation of advanced cycles and included the selection of preferred concepts for further development. Phase II involves the development and testing of critical components and of a complete laboratory breadboard version of the selected system. Phase III calls for the development of a prototype unit and is contingent on the successful completion of Phase II. This report covers Phase I work on the project. In Phase 1, 24 advanced absorption cycle/fluid combinations were evaluated, and computer models were developed to predict system performance. COP, theoretical pump power, and internal heat exchange were calculated for each system, and these calculations were used as indicators of operating and installed costs in order to rank the relative promise of each system. The highest ranking systems involve the cycle concept of absorber/generator heat exchange, generator heat exchanger/absorber heat exchange, regeneration, and resorption/desorption, in combination with the NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O/LiBr ternary absorption fluid mixture or with the NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O binary solution. Based upon these conclusions, the recommendation was made to proceed to Phase II, the laboratory breadboard proof-of- concept.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States); Trane Co., La Crosse, WI (United States). Applied Unitary/Refrigeration Systems Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 10148146
• Report Number(s): ORNL/Sub--86-17498/1; ON: DE92014933
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
AMMONIA
BUILDING EQUIPMENT
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GAS HEAT PUMPS
LITHIUM BROMIDES
MATERIALS
MIXTURES
NATURAL GAS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
TESTING
WATER
WORKING FLUIDS