Energetic analysis of an absorption chiller using NH3/LiNO3 as an alternative working fluid

Abstract

This paper presents a thermodynamic model developed for a prototype absorption chiller using NH3/ LiNO3 with 10 kW of nominal capacity. The study was undertaken using thermodynamic modeling based on the mass and energy balance, takes the overall heat transfer coefficients into consideration and uses the characteristic equation method. First, the results obtained from the thermodynamic modeling developed were compared with those obtained from the characteristic equations of thermal power activation and the cooling capacity. These showed good agreement with the experimental data, there being maximum relative errors of around 5% for most of the operational conditions of the system. Secondly, a parametric analysis was made by altering the variables, such as temperature, mass flow rate, and configuring the heat dissipation that influences the overall performance of the prototype chiller.