A novel absorption refrigeration cycle for heat sources with large temperature change

To increase the use efficiency of available thermal energy in the waste gas/water, a novel high-efficient absorption refrigeration cycle regarded as an improved single-effect/double-lift configuration is proposed. The improved cycle using an evaporator/absorber (E/A) promotes the coefficient of performance and reduces the irreversible loss. Water–lithium bromide is used as the working pair and a simulation study under the steady working conditions is conducted. The results show that the temperature of waste gas discharged is about 20 °C lower than that of the conventional single-effect cycle and the novel cycle we proposed can achieve more cooling capacity per unit mass of waste gas/water at the simulated working conditions.

Pressure–temperature diagram for water–lithium bromide. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A novel waste heat-driven absorption refrigeration cycle is presented.
► The novel cycle can reject heat at much lower temperature.
► The available temperature range of heat source of the proposed cycle is wider.
► Multiple heat sources with different temperatures can be used in the novel cycle.