Heat and mass transfer studies on compact generator of R134a/DMF vapour absorption refrigeration system

Experimental investigation on the performance of compact generator of R134a/DMF vapour absorption refrigeration system is presented. The system uses brazed plate heat exchangers as generator, condenser, absorber, evaporator and solution heat exchanger and has a rated cooling capacity of 1 kW. The influence of driving temperature ratio, driving pressure ratio, R134a mass fraction and solution two phase Reynolds number is studied. This kind of system can be operated with low grade thermal energy such as solar energy, waste heat, etc. The generator temperature is chosen accordingly between 353 K and 368 K. Desorption ratio and Sherwood number increase as the solution Reynolds number, solution initial mass fraction, and driving temperature ratio increase whereas they decrease as the driving pressure ratio increases. The performance of the compact generator at different operating conditions is presented. Based on the present data, empirical correlations for Nusselt number and Sherwood number are proposed.

► Experimentation on compact generator of R134a/DMF absorption system is presented. ► Dimensionless parameters are used to evaluate performance of the generator. ► Influence of driving temperature ratio, driving pressure ratio on COP is studied. ► Empirical correlations for Nusselt number and Sherwood number are proposed.