Performance Evaluation of an Industrial Absorption System

Abstract The Absorption systems have a wide range of the potential employing thermal processes to obtain both chilled water and hot water for cooling and heating applications. The performance of absorption chiller system has been extensively investigated. The absorption chiller type is (Li-Br/H 2 O) double-effect, parallel-flow and it is capable of providing a cooling capacity [500 R.T], [1750 kW] using natural gas as a fuel to separate refrigerant in the high pressure generator. A thermodynamic analysis for an absorption system has been analyzed based on the principle of mass conservation and the first and the second laws of thermodynamics of each component of the absorption system. The fouling effect of low and high temperature heat exchangers on the performance of absorption system has been investigated. Measurements has been recorded in two years (2015 and 2016).The temperature sensors and infrared device is used to measure specific points on the cycle components which permits to predict the COP and the second law efficiency behavior for a long time of operation. Results showed that the COP of the absorption chiller system in 2015 is higher than obtained in 2016 by average percentage 22%. The effectiveness of the low and high temperature heat exchangers decreased by 2.89% and 0.5%, respectively. Consequently, it was clear that the second law efficiency decreased by 14.04% from 2015 to 2016. Due to the fouling effect of low and high temperature heat exchangers it is recommended that doing periodic maintenance to these components of the absorption chiller systems.