Design Considerations, Installation and Operation of the Two-Stage Parallel Flow Absorption Chiller

Abstract

This presentation describes the actual design consideration and field operation experience of two-stage parallel flow absorption chillers. The applications include new construction, rehabilitation of old HVAC systems, cogeneration, and industrial process heat recovery. The high performance (COP = 1.14), and reduced maintenance cost of the two-stage parallel flow absorption chiller provides a notable improvement over the conventional single stage absorption chillers (COP = .6). The infamous reputation of the single stage absorption chiller for crystallization, poor mechanical performance, and general unreliability has been completely neutralized by new design concepts incorporated in the two-stage parallel flow absorption chiller/heater. The ease of maintenance and virtual elimination of crystallization has vastly improved chilled water production and mechanical longevity. The two-stage parallel flow absorption chiller is adaptable to various heat sources including direct fired multi-fuel, steam, exhaust, hot water, thermal fluids, etc. This makes this chiller a worthy consideration as an alternate to electrically driven refrigeration. The two-stage parallel flow absorption chiller has been operating in the United States since 1979 and there is presently over 24,000 tons of installed capacity online. Installations include office buildings, hospitals, computer centers, industrial process water and others.