Visit the Energy Systems Laboratory Homepage.
Operation Synopsis of Gas-Fired Double-Effect Absorption Chillers
Abstract
Absorption refrigeration systems are
one of the oldest systems available. The
fundamentals of absorption refrigeration
were formulated about 1777, and the first
successful absorption machine was developed
in 1850. The first U.S. patent for an
absorption refrigeration system was issued
in 1860. Absorption systems can use
many different heat sources to produce the
refrigeration effect: natural gas, steam,
solar, and oil.
While absorption systems were popular
in the U.S. in the early part of the 20th
century, their use declined in the mid
twentieth century for several reasons: (1)
increased reliability of vapor compression
systems, (2) dropping electric prices (in
real dollars), and (3) rapidly increasing
gas prices.
In recent years, there has been a
resurgence of interest in absorption
refrigeration and cooling. Natural gas
prices have moderated while electric prices
continue to rise. The reliability and
performance of absorption systems have been
substantially improved with new technology
from Japan.
This paper summarizes the results of
the operation of three absorption systems
located in the greater Dallas/Ft. Worth
area.
Citation
Phillips, J. (1986). Operation Synopsis of Gas-Fired Double-Effect Absorption Chillers. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6880.