A comparative study on the GAX based absorption refrigeration systems: SGAX, GAXH and GAX-E

In this paper, two GAX-ejector absorption refrigeration cycles are proposed and investigated thermodynamically. In the first cycle (GAX-E Model A), the ejector draws vapor from the evaporator and raises the absorber pressure. In the second combined cycle (GAX-E Model B), the ejector is used to raise the condenser pressure. The performances of these two cycles are compared with those of the standard GAX (SGAX) cycle and two different arrangements of the hybrid GAX (GAXH Model A and GAXH Model B) cycles at the same working conditions. The comparison is performed through parametric studies in which the effects of generator and evaporator temperatures as well as the degassing range on the first and second law efficiencies are investigated. It is found that the COP of GAX-E Model B cycle is higher than that of the SGAX cycle by up to 16.7%. The maximum second law efficiency for the GAX-E Model B cycle is only slightly lower than the highest efficiency value which is obtained for the GAXH Model B cycle. As there is no compressor in the GAX-E Model B cycle, this cycle can be recommended for refrigeration purposes from the viewpoint of thermo-economics.

► Five different configurations of GAX based cycles are compared thermodynamically.
► For all the GAX cycles the highest exergy destructions occur in the absorber–desorber.
► The COP of standard GAX cycle is enhanced by 16.7% when an ejector is employed.