The design of an evaporator/absorber and thermodynamic analysis of a vapor absorption chiller driven by solar energy

An experimental absorption cooling system is being developed, driven by the heat generated by the solar energy collection system installed at Coventry University. The proposed absorption cooling system comprises an evaporator/absorber cell and a generator/condenser cell. These components are housed in evacuated glass cylinders to allow the processes involved to be observed. The refrigerant-absorbent pair used is water and Lithium Bromide since a low temperature heat source can be used to drive the refrigerant from the carrier fluid. A thermodynamic analysis of the absorption cooling cycle has been performed to study the effect of various operating conditions on the thermal performance. This paper presents the design of the evaporator/absorber cell and the results of the thermodynamic analysis.