Thermoeconomic Optimization of Absorption Chiller Cycle

Abstract

In this paper, absorption chillers are modeled as four heat sources: the generator, the evaporator, the condenser, and the absorber and thermoeconomic issues are examined using the available relations. In order to simplify the calculations, all processes are assumed to be reversible. Since heat exchangers are expensive facilities, therefore, reducing the total heat transfer area is taken as the design criterion. In this paper, first the thermoeconomic criterion, taken as the total cost of unit of refrigeration which includes the capital cost and the energy cost, is defined. In the following, the available relationships are used to calculate the maximum value of the thermoeconomic criterion and the maximum refrigeration load. Next, optimal working conditions are specified for absorption chillers and after that, the effect of the thermoeconomic parameter on the maximum thermoeconomic criterion, coefficient of performance and the specific refrigeration load corresponding to the maximum value of the thermoeconomic criterion are investigated.