Applying surfactants to improve the absorption capacity of mixtures of lithium bromide and formates in absorption refrigeration coolers

The addition of a surfactant like n-octanol improves the absorption capacity of the absorbent solutions employed in absorption refrigeration coolers.The effect of the addition of n-octanol on the water vapour absorption properties of LiBr + CHO2Na (sodium formate) + water (LiBr/CHO2Na = 2 by mass) and LiBr + CHO2K (potassium formate) + water (LiBr/CHO2K = 2 by mass) solutions has been investigated.The enthalpies of dilution, vapour pressures, densities and viscosities of the mixtures were measured in the range of temperature from 293.15 to 333.15 K and concentrations between 20.0 and 45.0% by mass.The mixture LiBr + CHO2Na (sodium formate) + 1000 ppm of n-octanol solution at 45% by weight exhibits a greater vapour absorption capacity than the LiBr solution conventionally employed in this type of refrigerant machines.