Modeling water/lithium bromide absorption chillers in ASPEN Plus

Absorption chillers are a viable option for providing waste heat-powered cooling or refrigeration in oil and gas processing plants, thereby improving energy efficiency. In this paper, single- and double-effect water/lithium bromide absorption chiller designs are numerically modeled using ASPEN. The modeling procedure is described and the results are compared to published modeling data to access prediction accuracy. Predictions for the single- and double-effect designs are within 3% and 5%, respectively of published data for all cycle parameters of interest. The absorption cycle models presented not only allow investigation into the benefits of using absorption chillers for waste heat utilization in the oil and gas industry, but are also generically applicable to a wide range of other applications.

► Single- and double-effect water/lithium bromide absorption chiller designs are numerically modeled using ASPEN.
► The modeling procedure is described and the results are compared to published modeling data to access prediction accuracy.
► Predictions for the single- and double-effect designs are within 3% and 5%, respectively of published data for all cycle parameters of interest.
► The absorption cycle models presented allow investigation of using absorption chillers for waste heat utilization in the oil and gas industry.