Experimental study on the adiabatic absorption of water vapor into LiBr-H2O solutions

It is shown how solution saturates faster when distributed in jets or in a falling film than in droplets, yielding mean mass transfer coefficients above 15 × 10−5 m/s. Falling films can handle higher flows per unit of dispenser area and, simultaneously, offer more contact area with water vapor per unit length, letting the solution reach 85% approach to equilibrium within the first 20 cm of fall. This allows us to conclude that the required absorption chamber volume per unit cooling power is significantly smaller with this arrangement than with droplet or even jet flows. Calculated values indicate that 2-3 l/kW should be enough.