DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AN ABSORPTION HEAT TRANSFORMER WITH SELF-CIRCULATION

A 10 kW experimental absorption heat transformer unit operating with s elf-circulation has been thoroughly tested. The self-circulation is ob tained according to the thermosyphon principle. The pressure differenc e in the unit is achieved through a difference in hydrostatic pressure s. Theoretical relationships for the pressure profiles within the diff erent components of the heat transformer have been derived. Stabilisin g the self-circulation has been the primary objective in this work, ra ther than the optimisation of the efficiency of heating and cooling ar eas. A satisfactory stable operation with self-circulation has been ac hieved. A reference heat transformer plant, delivering 100 kW, has bee n designed and installed in a major pulp and paper mill. This unit is directly incorporated with one of the evaporation plants of the mill. Plant operation data obtained under real industrial conditions are pre sented.