Vapor Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

Vapor Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

The absorption refrigeration system is a heat
operated unit which uses a refrigerant that is
alternately absorbed and liberated from the
absorbent. In the basic absorption system, the
compressor in the vapor compression cycle is replaced
by an absorber-generator assembly involving less
mechanical work. Figure gives the basic absorption
refrigeration cycle, in which ammonia is the
refrigerant & water is the absorbent. This is known as
the aqua-ammonia absorption system. Ammonia
vapor is vigorously absorbed in water. So when low-
pressure ammonia vapor from the evaporator comes
in contact in the absorber with the weak solution (in
which the concentration of ammonia in water is low)
coming from the generator, it is readily absorbed,
releasing the latent heat of condensation.
 The temperature of the solution tends to rise,
while the absorber is cooled by the circulating water,
absorbing the heat of solution (QA), and maintaining a
constant temperature. Strong solution, rich in
ammonia, is pumped to the generator where heat (QG)
is supplied from an external source (steam, electricity,
gas flame, etc.). Since the boiling point of ammonia is
less than that of water, the ammonia vapor is given off
from the aqua-ammonia solution at high pressure, and
the weak solution returns to the absorber through a
pressure reducing valve. The heat exchanger preheats
the strong solution and precools the weak solution,
reducing both the heat to be supplied in the generator
(QG) and the heat to be removed in the absorber (QA).
The ammonia vapor then condenses in the condenser,
is throttled by the expansion valve, and then
evaporates, absorbing the heat of evaporation from
 In driving the ammonia vapor out of the solution
in the generator, it is impossible to avoid evaporating
some of the water. This water vapor going in to the
condenser along with the ammonia vapor, after
condensation, may get frozen to ice and block the
expansion valve. So an analyzer-rectifier combination
is used to eliminate water vapor from the ammonia
vapor going into the condenser.
Actual Vapor Absorption Refrigeration Plant wit
h Analyzer & Rectifier
The analyzer is a direct-contact heat exchanger
consisting of a series of trays mounted above the
generator. The strong solution from the absorber flows
downward over the trays to cool the outgoing vapors.
Since the saturation temperature of water is higher
than that of ammonia at a given pressure, it is the
water vapor which condenses first. As the vapor
passes upward through the analyzer. It is cooled and
enriched by ammonia, and the liquid is heated. Thus
the vapor going to the condenser is lower in
temperature and richer in ammonia and the heat input
to the generator is decreased.
 The final reduction in the percentage of water
vapor in the ammonia going to the condenser occurs
in the rectifier which is a water-cooled heat exchanger
which condenses water vapor and returns it to the
generator through the drip line, as shown in figure.
The use of a suction line heat exchanger is to reduce
QA and increase QE thus achieving a double benefit. In
the absorber the weak solution is sprayed to expose a
larger surface area so as to accelerate the rate
absorption of ammonia vapor.
Lithium Bromide-Water Absorption Refrigeratio
n Plant
There is another absorption refrigeration
system, namely, lithium bromide- water vapor
absorption. Here the refrigerant is water and the
absorbent in the solution of lithium bromide salt in
water. Since water cannot be cooled below 0C, it can
be used as a refrigerant in air conditioning units.
Lithium bromide solution has a strong affinity for
water vapor because of its very low vapor pressure. It
absorbs water vapor as fast as it is released in the
evaporator.
While the vapor compression refrigeration system
requires the expenditure of high-grade energy in the
form of shaft work to drive the compressor with the
simultaneous disadvantage of vibration and noise, the
absorption refrigeration system requires only low-
grade energy in the form of heat to drive it, and it is
relatively silent in operation and subject to little wear.
Although the COP = QE/QG is low, the absorption units
are usually built when waste heat is available, & they
are built in relatively bigger sizes. One current
application of the absorption system that may grow in
importance is the utilization of solar energy for the
generator heat source of a refrigerator for food
preservation and perhaps for comfort cooling.