Title: Energetic and exergetic analysis of a commercial ammonia–water absorption chiller

Authors: S. El May, I. Boukholda, A. Bellagi

Addresses: Unite de Recherche Thermique et Thermodynamique des Procedes Industriels, UTThPI, Ecole Nationale d'Ingenieurs de Monastir, ENIM, Avenue Ibn El Jazzar, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia. ' Unite de Recherche Thermique et Thermodynamique des Procedes Industriels, UTThPI, Ecole Nationale d'Ingenieurs de Monastir, ENIM, Avenue Ibn El Jazzar, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia. ' Unite de Recherche Thermique et Thermodynamique des Procedes Industriels, UTThPI, Ecole Nationale d'Ingenieurs de Monastir, ENIM, Avenue Ibn El Jazzar, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract: The results of an energetic and exergetic analysis of a commercial water/ammonia air-cooled absorption chiller with a cooling capacity of 10 kW are presented and discussed. The comparison with a conventional-single effect chiller operating under the same conditions shows that to reach similar performances to those of pre-absorber equipped installation an additional heat transfer area in the air-cooled absorber is necessary to ensure the absorption of totality of the refrigerant. The second law analysis reveals that the highest exergy dissipation (75%) is located in the driving compartment and that the irreversible absorption process is responsible for an important part (45%) of the COP degradation.

Keywords: ammonia–water absorption chillers; air conditioning; thermodynamics; exergy analysis; energy analysis; COP degradation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2011.037213

International Journal of Exergy, 2011 Vol.8 No.1, pp.33 - 50

Published online: 30 Nov 2010 *

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