INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background
In the early years of the twentieth century, the vapor absorption cycle using water-ammonia
systems was popular and widely used, but after the development of the vapor compression
cycle it lost much of its importance because of its low coefficient of performance (about one
fifth of that of the vapor compression cycle). Nowadays, the vapor absorption cycle is used
only where waste heat is available or where heat is derived from solar collectors. Absorption
refrigerators are a popular alternative to regular compressor refrigerators where electricity is
unreliable, costly, or unavailable, where noise from the compressor is problematic, or where
surplus heat is available (e.g., from turbine exhausts or industrial processes, or from solar
plants).
Absorption cooling was invented by the French scientist Ferdinand Carré in 1858 (1). The
original design used water and sulphuric acid. In 1922 Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters,
while they were still students at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden,
enhanced the principle with a 3-fluid configuration (2). This "Platen-Munters" design can
operate without a pump. Commercial production began in 1923 by the newly formed
company AB Arctic, which was bought by Electrolux in 1925. In the 1960s, the absorption
refrigeration saw a renaissance due to the substantial demand for refrigerators for caravans
(travel trailers). AB Electrolux established a subsidiary in the United States, named Dometic
Sales Corporation. The company marketed refrigerators for RVs under the Dometic brand. In
2001, Electrolux sold most of its leisure products line to the venture-capital company EQT
which created Dometic as a stand-alone company. An absorption refrigerator is a refrigerator
that uses a heat source (e.g., solar energy, a fossil-fueled flame, waste heat from factories, or
district heating systems) to provide the energy needed to drive the cooling process.
1.2 Motivation
Faced with growing shortage of conventional resources and the threat of environmental
pollution, an increasing interest has been concentrated on utilization of solar energy during
the last few decades (3) (4) . Cold production through absorption cycles has been traditionally
considered one of the most desirable applications for solar thermal energy. Single-effect
LiBr–H2O absorption system is especially attractive for the advantage of being powered by
ordinary flat-plate or evacuated tubular solar collectors available in the market . The total cost
of the system is also estimated to be the lowest . Since 1970, a lot of works have been done
by the researchers on the application and the improvement of SARS (5).
In Pakistan everyone use vapor compression refrigeration system which operates on CFC’s
which damage ozone layer in the environment. Also the compressor is driven by the power
from the grids station which puts load on the national grids. It is very important to make the
environment sustainable. Energy wastage reduction is a very important matter for every
industry for industrial, environmental and cost effectiveness aspects. So, the system being
designed and fabricated is such system where energy is not only recovered but also can be
utilized in a useful way.
Now a days following are the targets of a manufacturing industry or a production plant:
a. Recover waste heat.
b. Increase efficiency of a working system as much as possible.
c. Make product environmental friendly.
So, absorption refrigeration system decided to be made has following features:
a. It should save power which is used in compression system.
b. It is able to utilize solar heat as an energy source.
c. All of its components and refrigerants are environmental friendly and can be disposed of
easily.
d. The system should not produce extra waste in the form of heat or any other waste. In fact,
it should make system and environment sustainable.
1.3 Problem statement
Design and fabricate a single-effect vapor absorption refrigeration system based on LiBr-
H2O combination using Flat-plate solar collector.
1.4 Principles
Both absorption and compressor refrigerators use a refrigerant with a very low boiling point.
In both types, when this refrigerant evaporates (boils), it takes some heat away with it,
providing the cooling effect. The main difference between the two systems is the way the
refrigerant is changed from a gas back into a liquid so that the cycle can repeat. An
absorption refrigerator changes the gas back into a liquid using a method that needs only heat,
and has no moving parts other than the refrigerant itself.
The absorption cooling cycle can be described in three phases:
Evaporation: A liquid refrigerant evaporates in a low partial pressure environment, thus
extracting heat from its surroundings (e.g. the refrigerator's compartment). Because of the
low partial pressure, the temperature needed for evaporation is also low.
Absorption: The now gaseous refrigerant is absorbed by another liquid (e.g. a salt solution).
Regeneration: The refrigerant-saturated liquid is heated, causing the refrigerant to evaporate
out. The hot gaseous refrigerant passes through a heat exchanger, transferring its heat outside
the system and condenses.
1.5 Description of the System
Being a salt lithium bromide does not exert any pressure and also does not boil off when
heated. Thus there is no need of rectifier to separate the absorbent vapor from the refrigerant
vapor. Vapor absorption refrigeration system consisting of lithium bromide and water pair is
extensively used in a large capacity air-conditioning system. Water as refrigerant and lithium
bromide solution in water is used as absorbent. It is normally used for refrigeration purposes
above 0 0C and cannot be used for freezing purposes because of water as a refrigerant. The
analysis of this is comparatively easy as the vapor generated in the generator is pure
refrigerant unlike ammonia water refrigeration system in which the vapor generated is mixer
of refrigerant and absorbent.
A simple vapor absorption system consists of the following parts.
1.5.1 Generator: The solution of lithium bromide and water received from the absorber is
heated by some external sources such as solar heat. Because of this heating the solution gets
separated into water vapor at high pressure and hot weak solution which mostly consists of
water.
1.5.2 Condenser: Condenser converts the high pressure water vapor received from the
generator into high pressure water. This process is done by means of circulating cool water.
1.5.3 Expansion valve or throttle valve: The expansion that takes place in the expansion
valve is throttling. The high pressure water is expanded to low pressure low temperature
water in the expansion valve.
1.5.4 Evaporator: Evaporator, also called cold chamber, is the actual freezing. The water
refrigerant passing through the evaporator absorbs the heat and evaporates.
1.5.5 Absorber: The function of the absorber is to absorb low pressure water vapor from the
evaporator and weak lithium bromide and water solution from the generator. The purpose of
the absorber is to make this mixture into a strong solution, which is pumped back to the
generator.
1.5.6 Heat Exchanger: It is used to transfer the heat from strong solution to the weak
solution.
1.5.7 Pump: It is used to circulate the strong solution through the heat exchanger. The pump
increases the pressure of the solution.
2. Literature Review:
The idea of absorption cycle was developed back in 17th century when it comes to people
mind that cooling effect may be produced by keeping pure water in the same container
having sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid absorbs the high energy molecules evaporating from water
leaving behind water with a much less temperature. In 18th century (6), Edmond
Carré developed the first absorption refrigerator, he observed the formation of an ice layer in
vessel having water when it was connected to another vessel containing H2SO4.Corrosive
action and leakage of environmental air into the vessel create some problems for this system.

Ferdinand Carre developed a unique refrigeration system for the application of making ice
and food storage in in 1859 (7).He replaced sulfuric acid by using water/ammonia as the
operating fluid in his machine, where ammonia works as a refrigerant and water as absorbent.
This continuous absorption refrigerator took out a patent in United State in 1860. The design
developed by him was a basic design in the early stages of refrigeration development.
In the 1950’s, a system using lithium bromide/water as the working fluid was introduced.
This system uses water as refrigerant and LiBr as an absorbent. COP of of LiBr-water system
developed was very low to improve it a modification to the system was done by introducing a
double-effect absorption system which uses the waste heat from a generator as a heat source
for another generator in the same system improving the system performance. It has been used
as an industrial standard for absorption refrigeration cycle.

To use low grade energy for cooling purposes directly vapor absorption refrigeration is the
best choice in comparison to the conventional vapor compression system which require a
high grade energy. Absorption system doesn’t involve any moving part except for a small
pump which operates on a much less input power than a compressor of vapour compression
system. Absorption refrigerator require some heat energy for separation of refrigerant from
absorbent in the generator. The heat energy may be obtained from different sources such as
waste heat from engines, by burning fuels and solar energy etc. Different type of collectors
such concentrating and flat plate solar collectors are used in an attempts to run vapour
absorption systems. Around 1950 several small solar absorption refrigeration systems have
been made in different countries. Serious consideration to solar refrigeration systems was
given since 1965 due to the scarcity of fossil fuel based energy sources and depletion of
Ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants (CFCs) used in vapour compression
refrigerator. About 500 solar absorption systems were reported in 1976 being used in
United States (8).Most of these system were operated on a moderate temperature and were
using LiBr-water as the working fluid.

.
2.2 Literature surveys:

V.K. Bajpai (9) designed an ammonia-water based solar vapour absorption refrigeration unit.
For his design condition of Condenser pressure 10 bar, Evaporator pressure 1 bar and solar
collectors 24 square meter he finds out that COP of the whole system is 0.58. With the help
of the results he obtained he proved that a solar powered absorption refrigeration system is
feasible and reasonable to be used. He proved that in the month of summers, solar potential is
quite high, the unit can be used for refrigeration.

F. Assilzadeh, S.A. Kalogirou, Y. Ali, K. Sopian (10) simulate and optimize a LiBr
solar absorption cooling system with evacuated tube collector using TRNSYS program.
They optimize the system for a 3.5 kW using evacuated tubes solar collector of area 35 m2
making an angle of 20o with horizontal. They describe the advantage of solar-powered
system over other power sources by proving that the system is in phase with the daily solar
radiation, i.e. the greater the sunshine , the larger the cooling effect achieved by the solar
refrigerating system. For a continuous operation of the generator and increase the reliability
of the system, a hot water storage tank is essential for high quality performance.

MS. AARTI RAJENDRA SAKHARE, PROF. SATISH G. BAHALEYT (11) designed an

ammonia-water based solar powered vapor absorption refrigeration system using solar
thermal collector for heating the refrigerant. They use Cylindrical parabolic concentrating
collector for heating the solution in generator. For their design analysis the condenser and
absorber has to be maintained at temperature than 40, evaporator temperature has to be more
than 10 and the generator temperature must not exceed 85, in order to run the system
efficiently during the utilization of heat from sun and provide cooling effect.

𝑨𝒌𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝑮𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒈𝒆, 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒉𝒂 , 𝑨𝒃𝒉𝒊𝒋𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒓𝒂 describes the design of a

refrigerator using LiBr as working fluid powered by solar energy. The solar energy is stored
in DC battery which is then utilized by heating coil and pump. They obtained maximum COP
and Relative COP from their data. From their calculation they conclude that COP increases
with the increase in generator temperature and vice versa within the respective limits they
proved that at various generator, condenser temperatures LiBr-water cycles give better
efficiency than ammonia-water cycle.

Pongsid Srikhirin, Satha Aphornratana (6) compare various types of absorption

refrigeration systems for an improved performance of the system. They discuss various type
of absorption system from the conventional single effect refrigeration system, to double-
effect, dual cycle absorption system, self-circulating system and many others. There studies
show that COP of the system may be improved by an increase complexity of the conventional
system.
Balghouthi et al (12). have modeled a LiBr-water solar-powered absorption cooling
technology under Tunisian conditions, using the TRNSYS. He used a a 30 m2 flat plate solar
collector oriented at an angle of 35◦ for a building of 150 m2 .A hot water storage tank of 0.8
m3 was part of his system.
Agyenim et al. (13) designed and tested a domestic-scale prototype solar cooling system
based on a LiBr/H2O absorption system. He used vacuum tube solar collector having an area
of 12 m2, for a 4.5 kW chiller capacity. A storage tank of 1000 L were used.

2.3 Various designs of absorption refrigeration cycles

2.3.1 Single-effect absorption system

Single-effect absorption refrigeration system is the most simple of its types. Based on the
working fluid, basically two types of designs are used which are discussed below. The
following figure shows a design which uses a nonvolatile refrigerant.

Fig. A single-effect LiBr/water absorption refrigeration system.

This design is only used for the nonvolatile working fluid, if a volatile refrigerant/carrier
mixture such as ammonia-water is used then the system has to be modified by installing an
additional component known as rectifier. If rectifier is not used then the water vapor may
condense in the evaporator and disturb the functioning of the system.
In this system heat has to be supplied to the generator from some external source like solar
collector or waste heat to vaporize the refrigerant from the mixture which leaves the
generator and enters the condenser to reject heat to the environment. Also the mixture when
leaves the absorber is preheated with the heat from the condenser unit which helps to improve
the COP of the system.

2.3.2 Multi-effect absorption refrigeration cycle

Double-effect absorption cycle was invented in 1956 and 1958.

The purpose of introducing a multi effect system was to improve the COP of the system if a
high temperature heat source is available. In a double effect absorption cycle basically heat is
supplied in two stages, as shown in the following figure heat is supplied to the generator in
first stage then the heat which is lost during the first stage is reutilized using a second
generator and heat exchanger thus the heat is efficiently used, same is the case with more
than two stag/multi effect absorption cycle.

Fig. A double-effect water/Li-Br absorption cycle

In accordance with the second law of thermodynamics heat must be supplied from a high
temperature source to the generator which will vaporize the refrigerant to a higher pressure
which will then enter to a second generator which will further increase the pressure by using
the wasted heat from the first generator.
The benefit from this double effect is that the COP of the system is increased as compared to
the single effect because the heat losses are minimized to some extent.
Single effect systems generally have a COP of about 0.6 and double effect systems have a
COP of about 0.96.

2.3.3 Dual-cycle absorption refrigeration

In this type of systems, two completely separated cycles are used both having different
working fluids. Hanna et al. invented a dual-cycle absorption refrigeration and heat pump as
shown in the following Figure.

In this system two single effect systems are used, one operating on ammonia-water and the
other on Li-Br.
Heat which is released during the condensation of ammonia and from the mixing of ammonia
with water (which is an exothermic reaction) is supplied to the generator of Li-Br/water
system. The Li-Br system rejects heat to the surrounding in the condensation state and
absorbs heat in the evaporator stage as usual. The plus point is that the refrigeration effect can
be obtained from both the systems through evaporator.

2.3.4 Self-circulation absorption system using LiBr/water

The systems discussed in the foregoing section all requires some pump work input in the
form of electrical power to maintain the flow of the refrigerant and the carrier.
A new system was by Baltzar Von Platen and Carl Munters in 1922 which is self-circulation
i.e. no pump and thus no electrical power is required to drive the system.
The following figure shows the schematics of this system.

Water is used as a refrigerant; the pressure difference between the condenser and the
evaporator is very small and can be maintained by using the principle of static pressure head
which acts as a driving force for the flow of the refrigerant. The mixture from the absorber
can be pumped to the generator by using a bubble pump in which the refrigerant is
evaporated and pumped at the same time. The weak refrigerant solution comes back to the
absorber by the force of gravity.
2.4 Inferences drawn out of literature review:

Although absorption refrigeration system have advantages when considering operating cost
and environmental effect still they are not in as much use compare to vapour compression
refrigeration system because of its low COP typically in the range of 0.6 to 0.8,and the high
capital cost. Our project will be designed in an attempt to improve the cycle efficiency by
selecting the best component from the already designed systems. Absorption refrigeration
system are much more complex compare to the vapour compression system, complexity and
large size parts of absorption system adds to its costs, we are aim to reduce the cost as far as
possible. The absorption refrigeration units are of often large size and weight which limits its
commercial use. We will try to design the parts used in our system such that they don’t
require much space and having a low weight.
By studying various designs we get to conclusion that COP, size and weight, and Capital cost
of solar absorption refrigeration system depend mainly on working fluid, solar collector used
and type of absorption system, which are discussed below.

2.4.1 Working fluid for absorption refrigeration systems

COP of an absorption system critically depend on the chemical and thermodynamics

properties of the refrigerant used for the system. Some of the desired properties include high
solubility of the refrigerant in absorbent, high specific heat capacity of the refrigerant,
chemical stability and non-toxicity .Beside these boiling and freezing point and heat of
vaporization of refrigerant are also noted during selection of a working fluid for absorption
refrigeration system. Many working fluids can be used but two of the mostly used refrigerant-
absorbent pairs which have most of the desired properties are NH3/H2O and LiBr/water. For
application below 0o C, NH3/H2O is used because of both are highly stable for wide range of
temperature and pressure and also NH3 has high latent heat of vaporization. Problem with this
working fluid is its toxicity, corrosive action and high pressure of ammonia which are
difficult to be under control.

The use of LiBr/water for absorption refrigeration systems is used for application with lowest
temperature above 0°C because water works as a refrigerant in this case. The system exclude
the need for a rectifier because of non-volatility of LiBr. Extremely high heat of vaporization
of water as refrigerant provide better performance system for above 0°C applications
compare to ammonia-water.
Considering the current project which will be designed for the lowest temperature of about 5
C, LiBr-water will be used as the working fluid. High pressure of ammonia require very thick
walled ducts and high strength material to be used, which increases the size, weight and cost
of the system.

2.4.2 Solar Collector for the system:

Efficiency of an absorption system greatly depend on heat gained by the solar collector which
depends on the type of solar collector used, orientation of the collector, and intensity of the
Sun light falling on the collector. The Sunlight intensity changes throughout the day so as the
cooling load and COP of the system. For a uniform operation of the system a thermal storage
is needed. Variety of solar collector are available and may be used for the purpose of
supplying heat to separate refrigerant from absorbent in the generator of a vapour absorption
refrigeration system. The collector type include flat-plate solar collectors and evacuated tube
collector.
Based on the literature studies we conclude that a flat-plate solar collector can provide
sufficient heat for a single-effect absorption refrigeration system therefore we will use a Flat-
plate solar collector for our design. Flat plate collector is an insulated weather proofed box
containing a dark absorber plate under one or more transparent or translucent covers.Futher
the collector will be oriented for the maximum heat gain and if necessary a thermal storage
tank may be used.

2.4.3 Design of the system:

Design is key factor in contribution to the costs, size, and weight of any system to be
developed. Various types of absorption refrigeration system has been designed till now the
simplest of which is a single-effect vapour absorption refrigeration system. Modification to
the single-effect system have been done in an attempt to improve the system performance but
improvement are not as much compared to the complexity and space required. Keeping in
mind the reduction of size and weight and a low cost, the system design for our project will
be a single-effect absorption system. We will try to design and use each part of our system in
way to reduce the overall system weight by selecting light-weight and high strength material.
Reduce size generator and absorber will be designed to as far as possible.
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