CONVERSION OF LPG FIRED LITHIUM BROMIDE VAPOUR

ABSORPTION CHILLER TO BIOGAS FIRED

ASHOK.M, II – ME THERMAL ENGINEERING

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
(An Autonomous Institution Affiliated to Anna University)
COIMBATORE – 641 013

Guide
Prof. N. DHANDAPANI, B.E., M.Sc (Engg).
Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering
Government college of Technology - Coimbatore

Abstract - This paper presents the study performed on a 45 TR LiBr. vapour

absorption machine, exploring the possibility of converting it from LPG fired to
Bio – Gas fired. Various sources of Non – Conventional energy were examined
for its feasibility of substitution before settling for Bio – Gas. The inherent
conditions where, the system is installed for air-conditioning a Data center which
functions non stop 365 days a year, The system components modification as per
the changed requirement is next to impossible as its design and manufacture is
totally at the discretion of the supplier. These constraints calls for identifying a
suitable alternate source of energy which seek minimum or no system
modification and also no functional hold up of the system beyond the allotted
time
Key words – TR – Ton Rating, LiBr. – Lithium Bromide, LPG – Liquefied
Petroleum gas
Introduction – The system under study for energy substitution is LiBr. Vapour
absorption machine of 45 TR capacity producing chilled water of 7deg C which is
used for conditioning various segments of the Data Center conforming to the
inter national standards through both precision and non-precision air handling
units and fan coil units. The chiller machine is a double effect one and uses LPG
as the primary source of energy for its generator, though these machines are
called as waste heat machine – using the heat recovered from steam turbines
and from radiator and exhaust gas of high capacity electric generators to heat its
generator. The system is examined for energy substitution by various non-
conventional energy sources before settling for one energy source or
combination of all feasible sources with a view to both reduce the energy
consumption per tonnage and sustainability, effecting least or no system
modification.

Vapour absorption chiller description – The technical specification of Li.Br.

vapour absorption chiller of 50 TR capacity are
• Refrigerant
• Absorbent
• Chilled water Circuit
• Cooling water circuit
• Electric supply
• Heat input
- De – Mineralized water
- Li.Br.
-
ƒ Inlet /outlet temp deg C - 12/7
ƒ Flow rate 27.5 m3/hr
-
ƒ Inlet /outlet temp deg C - 30/35
ƒ Flow rate 50 m3/hr
- 3.7 kVA /50Hz/3Phase
- 40375 kJ/Nm3 of fuel

Sources of energy and feasibility

1. Solar energy - A solar water heater consists of a collector to collect
solar energy and an insulated storage tank to store hot water. Based on
the collector system, solar water heaters can be of two types:
1. Flat plate Collectors (FPC) - Here the solar radiation is absorbed
by flat plate collectors which consist of an insulated outer metallic
box covered on the top with glass sheet. Inside there are
blackened metallic absorber (selectively coated) sheets with built in
channels or riser tubes to carry water? The absorber absorbs the
solar radiation and transfers the heat to the flowing water.
 2. Evacuated Tube Collectors (ETC) - Here the collector is made of
double layer borosilicate glass tubes evacuated for providing
insulation. The outer wall of the inner tube is coated with selective
absorbing material. This helps absorption of solar radiation and
transfers the heat to the water which flows through the inner tube.
In both the types the maximum temperature attainable is 100 deg C in
duration of 3 – 4 Hr. The minimum size of the collector for heating 100
lit of water is 180 cm x 120 cm. The quantity of water required for 40375
kJ of heat generation is 40375 lit. The size of the collector would be
approximately 900 cm x 600 cm. (30ft x 20ft).
Problems encountered
• Huge size of the collectors
• High start up time ( 3 – 4 Hr )
• The continuous heating and flow of water in a closed circuit is not
possible
• The conversion of gas fired generator to heat exchanger is
technically not feasible in the existing chiller as advised by the
manufacturer on inspection
• Solar energy available maximum only between March and
September.
2. Energy from Bio – mass – A wide variety of conversion technologies
are available for manufacturing premium fuels from biomass. The
choice of the process is determined by a number of factors – the
location of the resource and its physical condition, the economics of
competing process, and the availability of suitable market for the
product.
Available methods
• Direct combustion - wood waste and bagasse
• Thermo chemical conversion – Heating biomass with limited oxygen
to produce Methane
• Bio chemical conversion – Anaerobic digestion and fermentation
producing methane
Thermo chemical conversion is found to be most suitable as the bio
mass (Coir pith) is available in plenty in Pollachi as coconut is grown
extensively and it is its major cultivation.
The bio chemical conversion of the food waste and human excreta from
the students hostel (the Vapor absorption chiller is functional in
Polytechnic campus for air conditioning a Data Center) is possible. The
problem is non consistency in gas availability as various factors like
temperature and feed stock variation would affect the gas production
rate. It can be used as a supplement on demand. The temperature
consistency can be achieved by feeding the digester wit hot water when
required. The hot water can be from the solar water heater - an energy
saving measure. Fixed dome digester is recommended for this process.
Gasifiers – Down draft gasifiers are most suitable for gas generation
using Coir pith
Working economics

Fuel currently Used : L.P.G.

Alternate Biomass Fuel : coir pith

Consumption of L.P.G. : 5.428 Kg/hr

C.V. of L.P.G. : 46000 KJ/Kg

C.V. OF Coir pith : 2750 K J /kg

C.V. of producer gas : 1000 Kcal /m3

1 Kg of Coir Pith Products = 2.5 – 3m3 of Producer gas

The total heat produced by LPG
Volume producer gas required
to produce same amt. of heat
Assuring 40% gasifier efficiency
= 5.428 x 46000
= 249688 KJ/hr
= 249688/1000 x 4.184
= 59.68 m3 / hr
 Amount of coir pith required = 59.68/2.5 = 24kg / hr.
Cost of 19kg LPG cylinder = Rs.1000
Cost of 1kg of LPG = Rs. 53
Cost of LPG required/hr = 53 x 5.428 = Rs.288
Cost of Coir Pith bricks = Rs.1200/Tone
= Rs.1.2/kg
Cost of coir pith required/hr = 24 x1.2 = Rs. 29
Savings/hr due to substitution = 288 – 29 = Rs. 259
Savings/year = Rs. 2268840
Cost of plant installation = Rs. 1000000
Pay back period = 1 -2 months
Conclusion – From the result arrived it is concluded to propose the use of bio
gas (producer gas) for firing the LiBr vapour absorption chiller. It not only reduces
the operational cost but also prevents environment pollution by reducing the
green house effect as only less amount of methane and carbon dioxide gas is
released into the atmosphere
Acknowledgement - This work is done in partial fulfillment of the PG project
work, ME – Thermal Engineering. The author would like to thank the Guide, the
department and the college – Government College of Technology, Coimbatore,
for the guidance and facilities provided.
Refrences
1. A text book of Refrigeration and Airconditioning – R.S. Kurmi and
J.K.Gupta, S.Chand publications
2. Heat Transfer A Practical Approach – Cengel, TMH publications
3. Refrigeration and air conditioning -. C.P. Arora. Second edition. Tata
McGraw – Hill Publishing Company Ltd.
4. Non Conventional energy sources – G.D. Rai, Khanna publishers
5. Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of
India.
6. Inter net - Biogas Technology, Biogas – Wikkipedia, Solar Energy -
Wikkipedia