EXPERIMENTAL REPORT ON THE RELIABILITY OF AMMONIA-WATER ABSORPTION CHILLERS

The analysis of a large amount of data on the failures of absorption r efrigeration machines of the ammonia-water type was carried out. The d ata derive from the records of a 10-year maintenance contract under wh ich every machine was installed. The records were computerized for the period 1989-1992, and they refer to sales starting from 1980 (i.e. to 73 778 machines). The failures are classified, identifying the most s erious (generator and solution pump). The rate of early failures is ra ther high, but the failures are generally minor and easily repaired. T he production quality was not constant, with a very bad year in 1984. The failure rate is evaluated for the first 10 years of life of the eq uipment. In general terms, one machine in two does not require any int ervention during that period. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR