Numerical investigation of a diffusion absorption refrigeration cycle

A. Zohar, M. Jelinek, A. Levy, I. Borde

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

A thermodynamic model was developed for an ammonia-water diffusion absorption refrigeration (DAR) cycle with hydrogen or helium as the auxiliary inert gas, manufactured by Electrolux Sweden (currently known as Dometic). The performance of the system was examined parametrically by computer simulation. Mass and energy conservation equations were developed for each component of the cycle and solved numerically. The model was validated by comparison with previously published experimental data for DAR systems. Investigation of cycle performance under different conditions indicated that the best performance was obtained for a concentration range of the rich solution of 0.2-0.3 ammonia mass fraction and that the recommended concentration of the weak solution was 0.1. It was also found that as the degree of rectification decreased, the performance of the DAR cycle decreased. Finally, the study showed that helium was superior to hydrogen as the inert gas: the coefficient of performance of a DAR unit working with helium was higher by up to 40% than a cycle working with hydrogen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)515-525
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Refrigeration
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2005

Keywords

  • Absorption system
  • Ammonia-water
  • Calculation
  • Diffusion
  • Helium 3
  • Hydrogen
  • Modelling
  • Performance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical Engineering

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