VAPOUR ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

Introduction
The vapour absorption refrigeration system is one of the oldest methods of producing refrigerating
effect. The principle of vapour absorption was first discovered by Michael Faraday in 1824 while
performing a set of experiments to liquefy certain gases. The first vapour absorption refrigeration
machine was developed by a French scientist, Ferdinand Carre, in 1860. This system may be used in
both the domestic and large industrial refrigerating plants. The refrigerant, commonly used in a
vapour absorption system, is ammonia.

The vapour absorption system uses heat energy, instead of mechanical energy as in vapour
compression systems, in order to change the conditions of the refrigerant required for the operation
of the refrigeration cycle. We have discussed in the previous chapters that the function of a
compressor, in a vapour compression system, is to withdraw the vapour refrigerant from the
evaporator. It then raises its temperature and pressure higher than the cooling agent in the
condenser so that the higher pressure vapors can reject heat in the condenser. The liquid refrigerant
the condenser is now ready to the evaporator conditions again.

In the vapour absorption system, the compressor is replaced by an absorber, a pump, a generator
and a pressure reducing value. These components in vapour absorption system perform the same
function as that of a compressor in vapour compression system in this system, the vapour refrigerant
from the evaporator is drawn into an absorber where it is absorbed by the weak solution of the
refrigerant forming a strong solution. This strong solution is pumped to the generator where it is
heated by some external source. During the heating process, the vapour refrigerant is driven off by
the solution and enters into the condenser where it is liquefied. The liquid refrigerant then flows into
the evaporator and thus the cycle is completed.
Evaporator Design:
Determine the refrigeration load: The refrigeration load is the amount of heat that needs to be
removed from the chilled water to maintain the desired cooling temperature. The refrigeration load
can be calculated using the following formula:

Refrigeration load = Mass flow rate of chilled water x Specific heat of chilled water x Temperature
difference

Assuming a chilled water flow rate of 0.1 kg/s, a specific heat of 4.18 kJ/kg-K, and a temperature
difference of 6°C, the refrigeration load can be calculated as follows:

Refrigeration load = 0.1 x 4.18 x 6 = 2.508 kW

Calculate the required heat transfer area: The required heat transfer area of the evaporator can be
calculated using the following formula:

A = Refrigeration load / U x LMTD

Where A is the required heat transfer area in square meters, U is the overall heat transfer coefficient
in W/m^2-K, and LMTD is the log mean temperature difference in K.

Assuming an overall heat transfer coefficient of 1500 W/m^2-K and a LMTD of 4°C, the required heat
transfer area can be calculated as follows:

A = 2.508 / (1500 x 4) = 0.00042 m^2

Select the evaporator type and geometry: The evaporator can be a shell-and-tube type, a plate type,
or a finned tube type. The geometry and dimensions of the evaporator will depend on the type
selected.

For a shell-and-tube evaporator, the heat transfer area can be calculated using the following
formula:

A = π x D x L x Nt

Where D is the tube diameter, L is the tube length, and Nt is the number of tubes.

Assuming a tube diameter of 12.7 mm, a tube length of 1.5 m, and a pitch of 19.05 mm, the number
of tubes can be calculated as follows:

Nt = A / (π x D x L) = 0.00042 / (π x 0.0127 x 1.5) = 22.26

Assuming a round number of 24 tubes, the heat transfer area can be calculated as follows:

A = π x 0.0127 x 1.5 x 24 = 0.0114 m^2

Check the velocity and pressure drop: The velocity and pressure drop of the chilled water and
refrigerant in the evaporator should be within acceptable limits. The velocity can be calculated using
the following formula:

Velocity = Mass flow rate / (ρ x A)

Where ρ is the density of the fluid.

Assuming a chilled water density of 1000 kg/m^3, the chilled water velocity can be calculated as
follows:
Velocity = 0.1 / (1000 x 0.0114) = 8.77 m/s

Assuming a refrigerant density of 1.6 kg/m^3, the refrigerant velocity can be calculated as follows:

Velocity = 0.45 / (1.6 x 0.0114) = 23.53 m/s

The pressure drop can be calculated using appropriate correlations for the chosen evaporator type
and geometry. If the velocity and pressure drop are too high, the evaporator dimensions may need
to be adjusted.

Absorber Design:

Determine the mass flow rate of the absorbent: The mass flow rate of the absorbent is the amount
of lithium bromide solution that needs to be circulated through the absorber to absorb the water
vapor from the refrigerant. The mass flow rate of the absorbent can be calculated using the
following formula:

Mass flow rate of absorbent = Mass flow rate of refrigerant / (Concentration of absorbent in solution
- Concentration of absorbent in solution leaving absorber)

Assuming a refrigerant flow rate of 0.045 kg/s, a concentration of 65% for the absorbent entering
the absorber, and a concentration of 55% for the absorbent leaving the absorber, the mass flow rate
of the absorbent can be calculated as follows:

Mass flow rate of absorbent = 0.045 / (0.65 - 0.55) = 0.45 kg/s

Calculate the required heat transfer area: The required heat transfer area of the absorber can be
calculated using the following formula:

A = Mass flow rate of absorbent x Heat of absorption / U x LMTD

Where A is the required heat transfer area in square meters, U is the overall heat transfer coefficient
in W/m^2-K, and LMTD is the log mean temperature difference in K.

Assuming an overall heat transfer coefficient of 1500 W/m^2-K, a LMTD of 5°C, and a heat of
absorption of 377 kJ/kg, the required heat transfer area can be calculated as follows:

A = 0.45 x 377 / (1500 x 5) = 0.00567 m^2

Select the absorber type and geometry: The absorber can be a shell-and-tube type, a plate type, or a
packed bed type. The geometry and dimensions of the absorber will depend on the type selected.

For a shell-and-tube absorber, the heat transfer area can be calculated using the following formula:

A = π x D x L x Nt

Where D is the tube diameter, L is the tube length, and Nt is the number of tubes.

Assuming a tube diameter of 12.7 mm, a tube length of 1.2 m, and a pitch of 19.05 mm, the number
of tubes can be calculated as follows:

Nt = A / (π x D x L) = 0.00567 / (π x 0.0127 x 1.2) = 3.53

Assuming a round number of 4 tubes, the heat transfer area can be calculated as follows:

A = π x 0.0127 x 1.2 x 4 = 0.191 m^2

Check the velocity and pressure drop: The velocity and pressure drop of the refrigerant and
absorbent in the absorber should be within acceptable limits. The velocity can be calculated using
the following formula:

Velocity = Mass flow rate / (ρ x A)

Where ρ is the density of the fluid.

Assuming a refrigerant density of 1.6 kg/m^3, the refrigerant velocity can be calculated as follows:

Velocity = 0.045 / (1.6 x 0.191) = 0.147 m/s

Assuming a lithium bromide solution density of 1300 kg/m^3, the absorbent velocity can be
calculated as follows:

Velocity = 0.45 / (1300 x 0.

Generator Design:
Determine the mass flow rate of the absorbent: The mass flow rate of the absorbent is the amount
of lithium bromide solution that needs to be circulated through the system. The mass flow rate of
the absorbent can be calculated using the same formula as in the pump sizing calculation:

Mass flow rate of absorbent = Mass flow rate of refrigerant / (Concentration of absorbent in solution
leaving evaporator - Concentration of absorbent in solution)

Assuming a refrigerant flow rate of 0.029 kg/s, a concentration of 55% for the absorbent entering
the generator, and a concentration of 65% for the absorbent leaving the condenser, the mass flow
rate of the absorbent can be calculated as follows:

Mass flow rate of absorbent = 0.029 / (0.65 - 0.55) = 0.29 kg/s

Determine the heat duty of the generator: The heat duty of the generator is the amount of heat
required to regenerate the absorbent. The heat duty can be estimated based on the refrigerant flow
rate and the change in enthalpy of the refrigerant.

Assuming a refrigerant inlet temperature of 5°C and an outlet temperature of 90°C, the change in
enthalpy of the refrigerant can be calculated using the following formula:

Change in enthalpy = Mass flow rate of refrigerant x Specific heat capacity of water x (Outlet
temperature - Inlet temperature)

Assuming a specific heat capacity of 4.18 kJ/kg°C for water, the change in enthalpy can be calculated
as follows:

Change in enthalpy = 0.029 x 4.18 x (90 - 5) = 11.07 kW

The heat duty of the generator can be assumed to be 120% of the heat required to regenerate the
absorbent, to account for losses and inefficiencies. Therefore, the heat duty of the generator can be
estimated as follows:

Heat duty of generator = 1.2 x Mass flow rate of absorbent x Change in enthalpy

Heat duty of generator = 1.2 x 0.29 x 11.07 = 3.86 kW

Determine the size of the generator: The size of the generator will depend on the heat duty and the
design parameters such as the surface area and the heat transfer coefficient.

Assuming a heat transfer coefficient of 250 W/m^2°C and a temperature difference of 5°C between
the lithium bromide solution and the heating source, the required surface area of the generator can
be estimated using the following formula:

Surface area = Heat duty of generator / (Heat transfer coefficient x Temperature difference)

Surface area = 3.86 / (250 x 5) = 0.0154 m^2

A standard generator with a surface area of 0.0154 m^2 can be selected for the system.

Condenser Design:
Determine the mass flow rate of the refrigerant: The mass flow rate of the refrigerant is the amount
of water that needs to be circulated through the system. The mass flow rate of the refrigerant can
be calculated using the same formula as in the evaporator sizing calculation:

Mass flow rate of refrigerant = Refrigerant capacity / (Specific enthalpy of refrigerant at evaporator -
Specific enthalpy of refrigerant at condenser)

Assuming a refrigerant capacity of 0.5 ton or 1.76 kW, a specific enthalpy of 263.88 kJ/kg for the
refrigerant at the evaporator, and a specific enthalpy of 401.72 kJ/kg for the refrigerant at the
condenser, the mass flow rate of the refrigerant can be calculated as follows:

Mass flow rate of refrigerant = 1.76 / (401.72 - 263.88) = 0.029 kg/s

Determine the heat duty of the condenser: The heat duty of the condenser is the amount of heat
that needs to be removed from the refrigerant to condense it back into a liquid. The heat duty can
be estimated based on the refrigerant flow rate and the change in enthalpy of the refrigerant.

Assuming an inlet temperature of 90°C and an outlet temperature of 45°C, the change in enthalpy of
the refrigerant can be calculated using the same formula as in the evaporator sizing calculation:

Change in enthalpy = Mass flow rate of refrigerant x Specific heat capacity of water x (Inlet
temperature - Outlet temperature)

Assuming a specific heat capacity of 4.18 kJ/kg°C for water, the change in enthalpy can be calculated
as follows:

Change in enthalpy = 0.029 x 4.18 x (90 - 45) = 2.65 kW

The heat duty of the condenser can be assumed to be 120% of the heat required to condense the
refrigerant, to account for losses and inefficiencies. Therefore, the heat duty of the condenser can be
estimated as follows:

Heat duty of condenser = 1.2 x Mass flow rate of refrigerant x Change in enthalpy

Heat duty of condenser = 1.2 x 0.029 x 2.65 = 0.93 kW

Determine the size of the condenser: The size of the condenser will depend on the heat duty and the
design parameters such as the surface area and the heat transfer coefficient.
Assuming a heat transfer coefficient of 300 W/m^2°C and a temperature difference of 10°C between
the refrigerant and the cooling source, the required surface area of the condenser can be estimated
using the following formula:

Surface area = Heat duty of condenser / (Heat transfer coefficient x Temperature difference)

Surface area = 0.93 / (300 x 10) = 0.0031 m^2

A standard condenser with a surface area of 0.0031 m^2 can be selected for the system.

Evaporator Design:
Determine the refrigerant flow rate. For a 0.5 ton system, the cooling capacity is approximately
6,000 BTU/hr. Assuming a refrigerant temperature difference of 10°F, the refrigerant flow rate can
be calculated as:

m_dot = Q / (h_fg x ΔT)

where m_dot is the refrigerant mass flow rate, Q is the cooling capacity in BTU/hr, h_fg is the latent
heat of vaporization for water (970.3 BTU/lb), and ΔT is the temperature difference in °F.

m_dot = 6,000 / (970.3 x 10) = 0.618 lb/hr

Determine the required heat transfer surface area. The heat transfer coefficient can be assumed to
be 1000 BTU/hr-ft²-°F for a vertical tube evaporator. The temperature difference between the
refrigerant and the heating medium can be assumed to be 10°F.

A = Q / (U x ΔT)

A = 6,000 / (1000 x 10) = 0.6 ft²

Select the appropriate type of evaporator. For a 0.5 ton system, a vertical tube evaporator with a
surface area of 0.6 ft² would be suitable.