Absorption Chillers and Heat Pumps

Significantly revised and updated since its first publication in 1996, Absorption Chillers and Heat Pumps, Second Edition discusses the fundamental physics and major applications of absorption chillers. While the popularity of absorption chillers began to dwindle in the United States in the late 1990’s, a shift towards sustainability, green buildings and the use of renewable energy has brought about a renewed interest in absorption heat pump technology. In contrast, absorption chillers captured a large market share in Asia in the same time frame due to relative costs of gas and electricity. In addition to providing an in-depth discussion of fundamental concepts related to absorption refrigeration technology, this book provides detailed modeling of a broad range of simple and advanced cycles as well as a discussion of applications. New to the Second Edition: Offers details on the ground-breaking Vapor Surfactant theory of mass transfer enhancement Presents extensively revised computer examples based on the latest version of EES (Engineering Equation Solver) software, including enhanced consistency and internal documentation Contains new LiBr/H2O property routines covering a broad range of temperature and the full range of concentration Utilizes new NH3/H2O helper functions in EES which significantly enhance ease of use Adds a new chapter on absorption technology applications Offers updated absorption fluid transport property information Absorption Chillers and Heat Pumps, Second Edition provides an updated and thorough discussion of the physics and applications of absorption chillers and heat pumps. An in-depth guide to evaluating and simulating absorption systems, this revised edition provides significantly increased consistency and clarity in both the text and the worked examples. The introduction of the vapor surfactant theory is a major new component of the book. This definitive work serves as a resource for both the newcomer and seasoned professional in the field.

IntroductionHeat PumpsHeat-Driven Heat PumpsDescription of Current Absorption Chiller ProductsOverview of Absorption Technology Market TrendsAbsorption Cycle FundamentalsCarnot CyclesAbsorption Heat Pump, Type IAbsorption Heat Pump, Type IIAbsorption Heat Pump as Combination of Rankine CyclesReversible Analysis with Variable TemperaturesIrreversibilities in Absorption Cycle ProcessesZero-Order Absorption Cycle ModelAbsorption Cycle Design OptimizationHomework ProblemsReferencesProperties of Working FluidsAnalytical Treatment of Thermodynamic PropertiesGraphical Perspective on Thermodynamic Properties of Absorption Working FluidsTransport PropertiesHomework ProblemsReferencesThermodynamic Processes with MixturesMixing of Fluids and the Heat of MixingSpecific Heat of MixturesDesorptionAbsorptionCondensation and EvaporationCompressionPumpingThrottlingAmmonia PurificationHeat ExchangersHomework ProblemsReferencesOverview of Water/Lithium Bromide TechnologyFundamentals of OperationCrystallization and Absorber Cooling RequirementsCorrosion and Materials CompatibilityVacuum RequirementsOctyl AlcoholNormal Maintenance and Expected LifeControlsHomework ProblemsReferencesSingle-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide SystemsSingle-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide Chiller Operating ConditionsSingle-Effect Cycle with Heat Transfer ModelsSingle-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide Heat Transformer(Type II Heat Pump)Discussion of Available Single-Effect SystemsHomework ProblemsReferencesDouble-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide TechnologyDouble-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide CyclesSolution Circuit Plumbing OptionsOperating Conditions of Double-Effect MachinesSystems on the MarketHomework ProblemsReferencesAdvanced Water/Lithium Bromide CyclesHalf-Effect CycleTriple-Effect CycleResorption CycleHomework ProblemsReferencesSingle-Stage Ammonia/Water SystemsProperties of Ammonia and Safety ConcernsMaterial ConsiderationsWater Content of the Refrigerant VaporSimple Single-Stage Ammonia/Water SystemMeasures to Improve Single-Stage PerformanceComparison of Ammonia/Water and Water/Lithium BromideExamples of Ammonia/Water Absorption Systems in OperationHomework ProblemsReferencesTwo-Stage Ammonia/Water SystemsDouble-Effect Ammonia/Water SystemsDouble-Lift Ammonia/Water SystemsTwo-Stage, Triple-Effect Ammonia/Water SystemHomework ProblemsReferencesGenerator/Absorber Heat Exchange CyclesConcepts, Configurations, and Design ConsiderationsBranched GAX CycleGAX Cycle HardwareHomework ProblemsReferencesDiffusion–Absorption CycleIntroductionCycle PhysicsChoice of the Auxiliary GasTotal Pressure of the SystemCycle PerformanceReferencesApplications of Absorption Chillers and Heat PumpsIndustrial Waste Heat UtilizationGas Turbine Inlet Air CoolingSolar Absorption CoolingReferencesAppendicesUsing EES (Engineering Equation Solver) to Solve Absorption Cycle Problems Overview Recommended Way to Use EES (Example Problem 22) Property Data in EES Lithium-Bromide Water Property Libraries Ammonia-Water Property Library Coaxing a Set of Equations to Converge (Example 101) Conclusion Absorption Cycle Modeling Introduction Mass Balance Considerations Energy Balances Heat Transfer Processes Equation and Variable Counting Convergence Issues and Importance of Selecting an Initial Guess Equation Solvers Modeling a Water/Lithium Bromide Absorption ChillerMass Balances Temperature Inputs Energy Balances UA Models Summary Modeling an Ammonia-Water Absorption Chiller The ABSIM Software Package Overview Introduction to ABSIM ABSIM Program Structure Selected Examples of ABSIM Simulations LiBr-Water Cycles Water-Ammonia Cycles LiCl-H2O Open and Hybrid Cycles Vapor Surfactant Theory Introduction Background Vapor Surfactant Theory Key Experimental Results Drop Proximity Experiment Active Surface Experiment Surface Tension Measurements Effect of flux on Enhancement Modeling Marangoni Flows with Vapor Surfactant Effects Summary References

Keith E. Herold started working in absorption refrigeration during his PhD studies at The Ohio State University, Columbus. This research focus was motivated by his work at Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, where he was involved in building and running custom absorption refrigeration cycles under contract to the US Department of Energy, among others. Subsequent to those experiences, he joined the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was the director of the Sorption Systems Consortium, which was funded by various companies. Dr. Herold has authored approximately 50 publications on the subject of absorption refrigeration and his group developed the vapor surfactant theory of mass transfer enhancement. Reinhard Radermacher holds a diploma and PhD in physics from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and conducts research in heat transfer and working fluids for energy conversion systems—in particular, heat pumps, air conditioners, refrigeration systems, and integrated cooling heating and power systems. His work resulted in nearly 400 publications, as well as numerous invention records and patents. He has coauthored three books on absorption and vapor compression heat pumps. His research includes the development of software for the design and optimization of heat pumps and air conditioners, which is now in use at more than 60 companies worldwide. Sanford A. Klein is an Emeritus Professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He received his PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1976, and has been a faculty member since 1977. He is the author or coauthor of more than 160 publications relating to energy systems. Professor Klein’s current research interests are in thermodynamics, refrigeration, and solar energy applications. In addition, he has been actively involved in the development of engineering computer tools for both instruction and research and the author of the EES program.