SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE OPERATION EFFICIENCY OF H2O/LIBR

ABSORPTION CHILLER
Names of student: Hoang Nghia Sang
Student ID: 20193891

Abstract
Background/Aim:
The issue of energy use is of great interest in the current economic development context, the
efficient and economical use of energy as well as the avoidance of environmental pollution is
always of our concern. For absorption chiller, one of the ways to use energy efficiently and
reduce emissions is to improve cooling efficiency.

Methods:
 Anti-corrosion additive method
 The additive method enhances the cooling capacity
 Methods of adjusting air conditioning capacity
- Adjust by heating source regulation method
- Adjust by the method of regulating the circulating volume of concentrated solution
- Adjust by both methods above
- Adjustment by combining steam compressor
 Anti-crystallization methods

Introduction
The cooling equipmen and air conditioning units mostly use electricity for compressor
operation. This power source is mainly generated from thermal power plants. Emissions from
these factories are one of the causes of warming ambient temperatures. Refrigeration and air
conditioning methods that use the sun's heat radiation reduce the risk of climate change. Thus,
compared with traditional air conditioners, solar cooling contributes to reducing electricity
consumption generated mainly from fossil sources.
Absorption chiller is an air conditioner that does not use an electric-powered steam
compressor, but uses a "thermal compressor" cluster, using a high-temperature heat source,
which is usually salvaged energy sources such as waste heat, energy sources, etc. secondary,
redundant. or it can also be heat energy from renewable energy sources, etc. to separate the
refrigerant from the absorbing refrigerant pair mixture, forming the refrigerant circulation
process in the air conditioning system.
During the operation of the absorption chiller, refrigeration efficiency depends on many
factors. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to improve the performance of the air
conditioner.
Absorption chiller overview
1. Cycle and Working principle
1.1. Cycle

The absorption refrigeration cycle can be described in three stages:

Evaporative: The liquid refrigerant will evaporate at low partial pressure and collect heat
from the surroundings (e.g. refrigeration chamber). Due to the low partial pressure, the
temperature required for evaporation is also low.
Absorption: The second refrigerant absorbs the original refrigerant (now in a gaseous state),
thereby increasing the partial pressure. This creates a refrigerant saturated solution and is
passed on to the next stage.
Cooling: The saturated refrigerant solution is heated, causing the refrigerant to evaporate.
a. Evaporation takes place in the lower part of a narrow tube; The air bubbles of the
refrigerant will push the anhydrous solution of the refrigerant to a higher vessel, from which
the solution will flow by gravity down to the absorption vessel.
b. Hot refrigerant vapor passes through the heat exchanger. Here, heat will be exchanged with
the external system (e.g. outside air environment) and condensate at a higher position. The
condensed liquid will continue to flow under the action of gravity to return to the cooling
chamber to continue the evaporation - collection cycle.

1.2. Working principle

Absorption chillers have two main circulations: Solution circulation and the refrigerant
cycle.
- Solution circulation: At the absorber, the steam generated from the evaporator is sucked in
and contacted with the dilute solution from the throttle valve to the incoming solution. The
heat released during absorption is released to the environment. The concentrated solution is
pumped with the pump solution to the steam generator. Here due to high temperature
conditions, the vapor will separate from the concentrated solution to enter the condenser and
the solution becomes a dilute solution. The dilute solution is passed through the solution hole
to return to the collection vessel. At the absorber, the dilute solution is recombined with the
low-pressure refrigerant vapor on the evaporator side to become a concentrated solution,
ending the solution cycle and continuing a new cycle.
- Refrigerant cycle: Refrigerant vapor is generated after the heat compressor's steam
generator is fed to the condenser. At the condenser, the waste heat is released to the medium
and condenses into a high-pressure liquid. The high pressure liquid passes through the throttle
valve to reduce the pressure to the low pressure fluid. After throttling, refrigerant continues to
be fed into the evaporator. Here, the refrigerant has a lower evaporation temperature than the
ambient temperature to be cooled, so it receives heat from the environment to be cooled and
converts it into low-pressure steam. Low pressure steam is brought to the absorber to combine
with the dilute solution in the absorber then pumped into the steam generator and is separated
upon contact with the heat source in the steam generator to return to the steam generator. into
pressurized steam. The high pressure is then returned to the condenser to close the refrigerant
cycle and continue a new cycle.

2. Refrigerant in absorption chillers

In absorption chillers , the refrigerant is a mixture of refrigerant and absorbent. That is, with
refrigerants there is always an absorbent.
There are two refrigerants: chemical and mechanical pairs:
A pair of chemically bonded liquids, liquid and solid, such as: H2O/LiBr, NH3/H2O... is an
absorbent pair.
Pairs of substances are mechanically bound together such as: water / zeolite; water/silica
gel...is the adsorbent pair.
* Requirements for refrigerant:
+ The refrigerant in the vapor compression refrigeration system has good thermodynamic
properties, is non-toxic, non-flammable, non-flammable and does not corrode machine
building materials, must be cheap and easy to find.
+ Completely soluble in each other but boiling points at the same pressure as far apart as
possible, so that the refrigerant generated in the steam generator does not mix with the
absorbent.

Method to improve the efficiency of H2O/LiBr absorption chiller.

1. Corrosion prevention additive method
Because the H2O/LiBr solution is strongly corrosive to metals, especially at temperatures
altitude ≥ 1500C and in the presence of air, the stronger the corrosionthan. The corrosion
process not only shortens the life of the equipment, but also generates non-condensing gases
reduce the vacuum in the equipment and reduce its cooling capacity. To reduce corrosion,
previous H2O / LiBr absorption conditioners used stainless steel or copper-nickel alloy heat
pipes and the outer shell was all stainless steel or alloy steel, so the cost was very low.
expensive.
 At present, H2O/LiBr absorption air conditioners can only use copper tube heat transfer
tubes and carbon steel outer shells by using some appropriate anti-corrosion measures.
Through research and practical operation, it is proved that with the solution temperature not
exceeding 120°C, add an amount of (0.1 = 0.3)% Li2CrO4 to the LiBr solution. catalyst and
0.02% LiOH so that the solution is weakly alkaline (pH 9.5 - 10.5) can effectively inhibit the
metal corrosion of LiBr solution. Li2CrO4 will be decomposed in solution with high
temperature above 1300C, then the anti-corrosion effect will be lost. Therefore, when using
this additive, it is necessary to strictly control the temperature of the solution in the vaporizer
not to exceed 120°C. Furthermore, for LiBr solutions containing Li2CrO4, the pH must be
controlled. below 11, otherwise the solution will have a cohesive state that forms suspensions
that interfere with the motion and heat transfer of the solution. When the LiBr solution
temperature is higher than 120°C, other additives can be used. For example, give a solution of
(0.01 = 0.1%)% PbO or 0.2% SbyO3 with 0.1% KNbO3.

2. Additive method to increase cooling capacity

The researchers have experimentally demonstrated that: in the LiBr solution, the addition of
(0.2 = 0.3)% of the additives[CH3(CH2)3CHC2H5CH2OH] will increases the cooling
capacity of the absorption chiller by (10 + 15)%. This additive is an activity indicator, it not
only increases the water vapor absorption of the LiBr solution, but also reduces the pressure
of the H2O/LiBr solution and improves the condensation efficiency. However, this additive is
insoluble in the LiBr solution. Therefore, during the continuous operation of the conditioner,
this additive will accumulate on the surface of the solution in the absorber and generator and
gradually lose the effect of improving the cooling capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to
periodically stir the solution in the absorber and vaporizer to mix the LiBr solution and this
additive. For example, change the heat source for absorber and cold water from absorber to
steam generator…

3. Capacity adjustment method of absorption chiller

3.1.Adjustment by heat source adjustment method
Adjust the capacity of the absorption chiller according to the load by varying the heat
supplied to the steam generator through the direct burner or other heating sources.
The advantages of this method of regulation are relatively simple implementation, safety
because it does not involve vacuum, does not come into contact with H2O/LiBr solution and
does not need to pay attention to the problem of corrosion. In addition, when the machine is
operating at low load, because the amount of heating steam decreases, the concentration of the
dilute solution in the steam generator increases, which is very beneficial in preventing LiBr
from crystallizing.
The disadvantage of this regulation method is that when the load is less than 50% because
the amount of concentrated solution circulating to the steam generator does not change and
the amount of heat to heat the solution to the boiling point is insignificantly reduced, the unit
The heat dissipation is greatly increased, so the regulation range of this method is 60 : 100%
of the load.

3.2.Adjustment by regulating the circulating volume of concentrated

solution.
 This method also relies on a sensor located at the evaporator outlet to control the evaporator
exit temperature of the chilled water. In addition, on the section of the concentrated solution
pipeline from the absorber to the steam generator, there is a three-way damper that connects
the pipe to the return line of the dilute solution to the impinger.
When the cooling load of the cooling system reduces the temperature out of the evaporator
of the refrigerant tm2, when tm2 falls below the predetermined level, the control system will
rotate the three-way valve and extract a portion of the concentrated solution. return to the
impinger, mix with the dilute solution to increase the concentration of the solution in the
absorption flask. Because the amount of concentrated solution to the evaporator is reduced,
the amount of steam evaporated is reduced, the amount of steam entering the absorber is
reduced, so the evaporation rate and the cooling efficiency at the evaporator both decrease
until they are balanced with the reduction of the cold load so that tm2 is maintained within
acceptable limits.
The advantage of this regulation method is that the operation is relatively simple, but
because the amount of concentrated solution in the steam generator is reduced, the amount of
heating is not reduced, so the concentration of the dilute solution flowing to the absorber is
reduced. ability to cause crystallization.

3.3.Adjustment by both methods above

These two methods are widely used in practice. When the load changes in the range of 60 -
100%, it is only necessary to regulate the heating source, and when the load decreases below
60%, both the heating source regulation and the concentrated solution circulation are used.

3.4.Adjustment by combining steam compressor

Some large air conditioning systems today often use a combination of absorption and vapor
compression. Due to the slow start-up of the absorption air conditioner, the process of
reducing the load increases the heat dissipation rate, so the absorption chiller responds to the
load. The compressor air conditioner operates at peak load.

4. Crystallization, causes, remedies and precautions

4.1.Crystallization
Absorption chillers use H2O/LiBr, the temperature of the solution is too low or the
concentration of the solution is too dilute, it is easy to crystallize. The crystallization process
will not harm the absorption chiller, but will result in increased concentration of the remaining
solution. It is a symptom of dysfunctional activities, and the cause of crystallization must be
determined before normal activities can be resumed.

4.2 Causes of crystallization

+ The air entering the system increases the evaporator temperature and increases the cooling
water temperature tm2 out of the system. A higher tm2 temperature will increase the amount
of heat supplied to the steam generator and decrease the solution concentration to the point of
crystallization.
When the system is operating at full load, if the coolant temperature is too low, the
concentrate solution temperature can drop low enough to reduce the temperature of the diluent
in the reheater to the crystallization point.
+ If the power is lost, the system stops working, the temperature of the dilute solution in the
heat collector drops and may be lower than the crystallization line.

4.3 Corrective measures

Manufacturers produce devices to minimize the possibility of crystallization. One such
device is the use of a bypass valve that allows refrigerant to flow directly into a dilute liquid
stream, when conditions that could cause crystallization are detected by the sensor. A new
invention is the DDC panel-based microprocessor that uses temperature and pressure
measured at the nodal point to calculate solution concentration and prevent crystallization.
Another device the overflow tube, is often used to transfer dilute solutions from the steam
generator to the absorber in the event of crystallization or other failures. Crystallization
usually occurs first at the beginning of the dilute solution flowing from the reheater because
the solution there is of low concentration, relatively low temperature, and narrow path after
crystallization occurs. The path of the dilute solution is blocked, causing the dilution level of
the solution in the absorber to decrease, the liquid level of the solution in the steam generator
to increase until the absorption cooler cannot work. To overcome the above phenomenon, a
solid U-shaped capillary drain is used at the upper liquid level of the steam generator to the
absorption vessel. When crystallization occurs, the liquid level in the steam generator
increases gradually to a level higher than the upper surface of the U-tube, the high-
temperature dilute solution flows directly into the absorption vessel through the U-tube,
causing the temperature of the solution to rise. The concentrated solution in the absorber
increases. Because the temperature of the concentrated solution entering the reheater
increases, the temperature of the dilute solution in the reheater increases, so the dilute solution
gradually dissolves the crystalline LiBr, so that the refrigerator can self-heal and normal
operation.

4.4.Precautionary measures
During absorption, the following crystallization precautions are commonly used:
+ On the pipe leading the dilute solution out of the nebulizer, a sensor bulb is placed to
control the temperature of the solution, by controlling the amount of heating in the nebulizer
to avoid too low a solution concentration.
+ Install a time relay to extend the power supply time for the refrigerant pump and pump the
solution for about 10 minutes after heating so that the refrigerant in the evaporator continues
to evaporate and dissolve. The absorption diluent, the concentrate in the culture flask and the
diluent in the steam generator combine powerfully.
+ In the drill containing the liquid level of the refrigerant of the evaporator, there is a special
device to control the liquid level, when the liquid level of the refrigerant is higher than the
specified level, the absorber is turned off to prevent too low a solution will crystallize.

5. Automatic protection of absorption chiller

5.1. Control lock
Absorption chiller start only when the cooling water pump, cooling water pump, cooling
tower fan ... operate normally. When the air conditioner stops working, the refrigerant pump
and solution bomb will continue to work for another 4-10 minutes.
5.2 Cooling water temperature protection out of the refrigerant
When the refrigerant load of the air conditioner changes, the cold outlet water temperature
will change over a narrow range. A temperature sensor bulb is placed on the refrigerant
discharge water line. When the cold load decreases, the control system will act to reduce the
amount of heat supplied to the machine. If the cooling load continues to decrease beyond the
minimum value that the machine can operate continuously, the control circuit will operate
using the cooling water pump, resulting in the shutdown of the machine. After that, if the
chilled water temperature rises to the pre-specified minimum value, the air conditioner will
restart automatically.

5.3 Cold water protection:

The air conditioner is fitted with a flow switch on the refrigerant water line. This switch is
used to operate the cooling tower and cooling water pump if the refrigerant flow drops below
a predefined minimum value. This is done to prevent the possibility of the machine freezing.

5.4. Protection of cooling water flow:

The air conditioner is also equipped with a switch on the cooling water pipe to stop the
machine when the cooling water flow is too low. Of course, just like the air conditioner, the
flow switch to protect the cold water and the cooling water is matched with a timer that only
works Stop the machine after 10-15 seconds when it drops water. In case of artificial loss of
water flow due to a blown pump or a damaged bomb nozzle is blocked but restored
immediately.

5.5. Evaporation temperature protection:

When the temperature of the evaporator becomes dangerously low, The low temperatures will
cut power to the bomb and heat source, shutting down any cold operations. When the
evaporator temperature rises above the preset level, the air conditioner will restart
automatically.

Conclusion
Using an absorption chiller is one of the effective energy-saving solutions. In particular,
the application of absorption chillers in air conditioning equipment is one of the directions for
that solution. The heat source from the solar collector can generate a steady source of energy
to run the air conditioner.
The cooling performance of the machine depends on many factors, so in order for the
system to be widely used, it is necessary to continue to research and improve the cooling
efficiency of the air conditioner.
References
[1] Dang Tran Tho, Hoang Mai Hong, Theoretical and experimental research on application
of absorption chiller using solar energy and waste heat, 2015.
[2] Nguyen Duc Loi - Pham Van Tuy, Refrigerant, Education Publisher, 1996.
[3] Le Chi Hiep, Absorption chillers in air conditioning engineering, Ho Chi Minh City
National University Publishing House, 2004.
[4] Bui Hai - Ha Manh Thu - Vu Xuan Hung, Air conditioning and ventilation systems,
Culture - Ethnic Publishing House, (2001).