Triple-effect absorption chiller cycle: A step beyond double-effect cycles

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7159540

DeVault, R C

Many advanced'' absorption cycles have been proposed during the current century. Of the hundreds of absorption cycles which have been patented throughout the world, all commercially manufactured products for air conditioning buildings have been variations of just two basic absorption cycles: single-effect and condenser-coupled double-effect cycles. The relatively low cooling coefficients of performance (COPs) inherent in single-effect and double-effect cycles limits the economic applicability of absorption air conditioners (chillers) in the United States. A triple-effect absorption chiller cycle is discussed. This cycle uses two condensers and two absorbers to achieve the triple effect.'' Depending on the absorption fluids selected, this triple-effect cycle is predicted to improve cooling COPs by 18% to 60% compared with the equivalent double-effect cycle. This performance improvement is obtained without increasing the total amount of heat-transfer surface area needed for the heat exchangers. A comparison between the calculated performances of a double-effect cycle and a triple-effect cycle (both using ammonia-water (NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O) as the absorption fluid pair) is presented. The triple-effect cycle is predicted to have an 18% higher cooling COP (1.41 compared with 1.2 for a double-effect), lower pressure (47.70 atm (701 psi) instead of 68.05 atm (1000 psi)), significantly reduced pumping power (less than one-half that of the double-effect cycle), and potentially lower construction cost (33% less total heat exchange needed). Practical implications for this triple-effect cycle are discussed. 16 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7159540
• Report Number(s): CONF-900334-3; ON: DE90008910
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
ABSORPTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COOLING SYSTEMS
CORROSION
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT TRANSFER
MANUFACTURING
MARKETING
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PRESSURE EFFECTS
REFRIGERANTS
SALES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TESTING
THERMODYNAMICS
WORKING FLUIDS