Performance simulation of the absorption chiller using water and ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate as the working pair

The thermodynamic performance of the absorption chiller using water and ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([EMIM][DMP]) as the working pair was simulated. In addition, the effects of evaporation temperature on the performance coefficient, COP, generation temperature, concentration of strong solution and flow rate ratio were also analyzed. At the same condensing and absorbing temperature, the simulating results indicated that the performance coefficient for the water + [EMIM][DMP] was lower than that for aqueous solution of lithium bromide (H2O + LiBr) but still higher than 0.7, while the generation temperature was lower than that for H2O + LiBr, which indicated that the working pair, water + [EMIM][DMP], was capable of being used as a novel working pair for the absorption chiller driven by lower temperature level waste heat or hot water generated by common solar collector.

► The thermodynamic performance of the absorption chiller was simulated.
► We used water and ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate as the working pair.
► The performance coefficient for the water + [EMIM][DMP] was about 0.7.
► The generation temperature was lower than that for H2O + LiBr.
► Water + [EMIM][DMP] has potential as a novel working pair of the absorption chiller.