PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS OF LICL AND LIBR FOR ABSORBER DESIGN APPLICATIONS IN THE OPEN-CYCLE ABSORPTION-REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

Both LiCl and LiBr solutions were considered for potential use in a so lar-driven Open-Cycle Absorption Refrigeration (OCAR) system. A vertic al falling film absorber was proposed and built to evaluate the perfor mance of LiCl and LiBr as an absorbent. Absorption experiments were pe rformed and the results are reported for typical operating conditions of nonabsorbable concentrations, solution concentration, solution temp erature, cooling water temperature, absorber pressure, and solution fl ow rate, in terms of mass transfer rate. In general, LiBr outperformed LiCl in terms of effective absorption rate. Based upon experimental r esults, the required absorber area was estimated for both LiCl and LiB r. The small chemical potential of LiCl relative to LiBr lends to a la rger absorber area. The cost for the required solution storage for thr ee-ton cooling capacity of the present OCAR system was found to be hig h for both LiCl and LiBr. The pumping cost was estimated to be less th an 0.1 kW for both.