Modeling of ammonia absorption chillers integration in energy systems of process plants

A mathematical programming approach is proposed to study the integration of absorption chillers in combined heat and power plants. The aim of this wor k is to determine the economic viability of the introduction of ammonia abs orption chillers in energy systems instead of using the more conventional c ompression cycles. This procedure selects the best refrigeration alternativ e taking into account both absorption and compression cycles. To select the most suitable refrigeration cycle for a given refrigeration load, it is no t only necessary to model the performance of each cycle, but also to take i nto account the interactions between the energy system and the considered c ycles, optimizing the performance of the global plant. This approach has be en implemented in the computer program XV, and tested in an energy plant in the petrochemical complex of Tarragona (Catalunya, Spain). The refrigerati on demands to be met are at 0 and -20 degrees C. The results highlighted th e benefit obtained with the simultaneous presence of ammonia absorption cyc les and a cogeneration based energy plant. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.