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Performance optimization and comparison towards compact and efficient absorption refrigeration system with conventional and emerging absorbers/desorbers

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  • Zhai, Chong
  • Wu, Wei

Abstract

Absorption refrigeration system (ARS) is significant for renewable/waste energy utilization to mitigate global warming. To select the best-performing ARS, four systems, namely falling-film horizontal tube ARS, falling-film vertical tube ARS, plate heat exchanger ARS, and microchannel membrane-based ARS, are compared systematically. System models have been established with validated accuracies to evaluate the coefficient of performance (COP) and volumetric cooling effect (qv). The results show that under a design driving power of 0.5 kW, the COP increases with the tube outer diameter/length in falling-film ARS and channel width in plate heat exchanger ARS and microchannel membrane-based ARS. qv decreases with tube outer diameter/length in falling-film ARS and channel width/height in plate heat exchanger ARS and microchannel membrane-based ARS. With geometry optimization, microchannel membrane-based ARS provides the highest COP of 0.855 with qv = 385 kW/m3, followed by plate heat exchanger ARS of 0.846, falling-film horizontal tube ARS of 0.832, and falling-film vertical tube ARS of 0.801. Meanwhile, microchannel membrane-based ARS also produces the maximum qv of 1147 kW/m3 with COP = 0.840, followed by plate heat exchanger ARS of 714 kW/m3, falling-film horizontal tube ARS of 391 kW/m3, and falling-film vertical tube ARS of 197 kW/m3. Thus, microchannel membrane-based ARS is advantageous in both efficiency and compactness among four ARSs. This work aims to facilitate absorbers/desorbers structure design towards compact and efficient ARS.

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  • Zhai, Chong & Wu, Wei, 2021. "Performance optimization and comparison towards compact and efficient absorption refrigeration system with conventional and emerging absorbers/desorbers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:229:y:2021:i:c:s036054422100918x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120669
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sui, Yunren & Wu, Wei, 2023. "Ionic liquid screening and performance optimization of transcritical carbon dioxide absorption heat pump enhanced by expander," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    2. Zhai, Chong & Wu, Wei & Coronas, Alberto, 2021. "Membrane-based absorption cooling and heating: Development and perspectives," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 663-688.
    3. Zhai, Chong & Wu, Wei, 2022. "Energetic, exergetic, economic, and environmental analysis of microchannel membrane-based absorption refrigeration system driven by various energy sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
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    6. Zhai, Chong & Wu, Wei, 2023. "Experimental parameter study and correlation development of microchannel membrane-based absorption process for efficient thermal cooling with high compactness," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).

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