Optimization of energy plants including water/lithium bromide absorption chillers

In this paper a methodology for the optimal integration of water/lithium br omide absorption chillers in combined heat and power plants is proposed. Th is method is based on the economic optimization of an energy plant that int eracts with a refrigeration cycle, by using a successive linear programming technique (SLP). The aim of this paper is to study the viability of the in tegration of already technologically available absorption chillers in CHP p lants. The results of this alternative are compared with the results obtain ed using the conventional way of producing chilled water, that is, using me chanical vapour compression chillers in order to select the best refrigerat ion cycle alternative for a given refrigeration demand. This approach is im plemented in the computer program XV, and tested using the data obtained in the water/LiBr absorption chiller of Bayer in Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) . The results clearly show that absorption chillers are not only a good opt ion when low-cost process heat is available, but also when a cogeneration s ystem is present. In this latter case, the absorption chiller acts as a bot toming cycle by using steam generated in the heat recovery boiler. In this way, the cogeneration size can be increased producing higher benefits than those obtained with the use of compression chillers. Copyright (C) 2000 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Ltd.