A.06.

Cycle of Operation

A.6 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Chapter Objectives This chapter describes the working cycle of the vapour
absorption heat pump and the functions of its various
components

What is Refrigeration? Refrigeration is defined as the process of extracting heat from

a low temperature medium and transferring it to a high
temperature heat sink. Refrigeration maintains the temperature
of the heat source below that of its surroundings while
transferring the extracted heat to a heat sink.

Basic Principles The boiling point of water is directly proportional to pressure.

At atmospheric pressure water boils at 100C. At lower
pressure it boils at lower temperature. At 6mmHg absolute
pressure the boiling point of water is 3.7C.

To change water from liquid to vapour it has to be heated. The

heat is absorbed by the water and its temperature starts rising.
However it rises until it reaches a point where the temperature
stays constant and it starts boiling, i.e. the liquid water
vapourises. This point is called the boiling point. At this point
all the heat being absorbed by the water does not change its
temperature but only its phase. This heat, required to change
the phase of a liquid to vapour, is called the Latent of
Evaporation. Similarly the heat rejected by a vapour when it
condenses is called the Latent Heat of Condensation.

Lithium Bromide (LiBr) is a chemical similar to common salt

(NaCl). LiBr is soluble in water. The LiBr water solution has a
property to absorb water due to its chemical affinity. As the
concentration of LiBr solution increases, its affinity towards
water increases. Also as the temperature of LiBr solution
decreases, its affinity to water increases.

Further there is a large difference between vapour pressure of

LiBr and water. This means that if we heat the LiBr water
solution, the water will vapourise but the LiBr will stay in the
solution and become concentrated.

Absorption Cycle Absorption systems use heat energy to produce a refrigerating

overview effect. In these systems the refrigerant, i.e. water, absorbs heat
at a low temperature and pressure during evaporation and
releases heat at a high temperature and pressure during
condensation.
A solution known as absorbent, i.e. Lithium Bromide
(LiBr), is used to absorb the vapourised refrigerant (after its
evaporation at low pressure). This solution, containing the
absorbed vapour is heated at a higher pressure. The refrigerant
vapourises and the solution is restored to its original
concentration for recirculation.
In a double effect absorption machine, the latent heat
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of condensation of the refrigerant generated in the first stage

generator, is used in a second stage generator to enhance the
efficiency of the cycle.

When the refrigerant undergoes a series of evaporation,

absorption, pressurisation, vaporizations, condensation,
throttling, and expansion processes, absorbing heat from a low
temperature heat source and releasing it to a high temperature
sink, so that its state is restored to its original one, it is said to
have completed a refrigerating cycle.

Modes of Operation The vapour absorption heat pump functions in two modes
namely Simultaneous Heating Cooling Mode and Cooling
Mode

Simultaneous Heating A schematic diagram of the absorption cycle in the

Cooling Mode - Simultaneous Heating Cooling Mode is shown in Figure 1.
Schematic Diagram

Individual Parts The operation of the various parts of the absorption machine
in the simultaneous heating cooling mode is described below.

Evaporator The evaporator consists of a tube bundle, an outer shell,

distribution trays, and a refrigerant pan. The heat source water
i.e. chilled water flows inside the tubes. A refrigerant pump
circulates the refrigerant from the refrigerant pan into the
distribution trays. From the trays the refrigerant falls on the
evaporator tubes. The shell pressure is very low (6mmHg).
At this pressure the refrigerant evaporates at a low
temperature (3.7C) and extracts latent heat of evaporation
from the water being circulated through the evaporator tubes.
Thus the heat is extracted from the water being circulated
through the tubes and it becomes chilled.

Absorber The absorber consists of a tube bundle, an outer shell

(common with the evaporator), distribution trays, and an
absorbent collection sump. Concentrated absorbent solution
(63.4%) from the low temperature generator is fed into the
distribution trays. This solution falls on the absorber tubes.
Concentrated absorbent has an affinity to water. Hence the
vapourised refrigerant from the evaporator section is absorbed.
Due to this absorption the vacuum in the shell is maintained at
a low pressure, and ensures the heat extraction from the heat
source water. The concentrated absorbent becomes diluted.
During this dilution the 'Heat of Dilution' is generated. This
increases the temperature of the absorbent solution. This high
temperature absorbent solution heats the hot water being
circulated in the absorber tubes. As it loses it's heat to the hot
water it is able to absorb more refrigerant vapour and gets
further diluted. The diluted absorbent (57.5%) collects in the
bottom of the shell.

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Heat exchangers The absorbent pump pumps the diluted absorbent to the high
temperature generator. A part of it first passes through drain
heat exchangers where it absorbs heat from the condensed
refrigerant from the low temperature generator. It next flows
through heat reclaimer where it absorbs heat from steam
condensate. The other part of liquid passes the low
temperature heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the
concentrated absorbent. It next flows through the high
temperature heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the
intermediate absorbent solution. Then both the dilute solutions
mix at high temperature heat exchanger outlet .The solution
then enter the high temperature generator. The heat
exchangers serve to heat up the absorbent solution before it
enters the high temperature generator for regeneration. This
reduces the heat input required in the high temperature
generator. This increases the efficiency of the cycle.

High Temperature The high temperature generator (HTG) consists of a tube

Generator bundle, an outer shell and a set of eliminators. Steam is
allowed to pass inside the tubes. The diluted absorbent flows
around these tubes and is heated. The temperature of the
solution increases until it reaches the boiling point. The
refrigerant water boils out of the solution. The solution
concentration increases (to 61%). This increased
concentration is referred to as the intermediate concentration.
The vaporised refrigerant passes through the eliminators and
goes to the low temperature generator.

Low Temperature The low temperature generator (LTG) and condenser tube
Generator and Condenser bundles are enclosed in a shell and are separated by an
insulation plate. The vaporised refrigerant flows into the LTG
tubes. It heats the intermediate absorbent flowing outside the
tubes, and condenses. The condensed refrigerant flows to the
condenser. Refrigerant vapourised from the intermediate
absorbent passes through the eliminators to the condenser.
Here it heats the hot water being circulated inside the
condenser tubes. The refrigerant vapour condenses on the
outside of the condenser tubes, heating the hot water, and
collects in the bottom of the condenser. The condensed
refrigerant from the LTG and the condenser mix and flows to
the evaporator. The absorbent, which has become
concentrated in the LTG drains to the absorber to begin a new
absorbent cycle.

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DOUBLE EFFECT STEAM FIRED CYCLE DIAGRAM (SD)

Fig 1. Simultaneous Heating-Cooling Mode

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 A.06.Cycle of Operation

Cooling Mode - A schematic diagram of the absorption cycle in the Cooling

Schematic Diagram Mode is shown in Figure 2.

Individual Parts The operation of the various parts of the absorption machine is
described below.

Evaporator The evaporator consists of a tube bundle, an outer shell,

distribution trays, and a refrigerant pan. The chilled water
flows inside the tubes. A refrigerant pump circulates the
refrigerant from the refrigerant pan into the distribution trays.
From the trays the refrigerant falls on the evaporator tubes.
The shell pressure is very low (6mmHg). At this pressure the
refrigerant evaporates at a low temperature (3.7C) and
extracts latent heat of evaporation from the water being
circulated through the evaporator tubes. Thus the water being
circulated through the tubes becomes chilled.

Absorber The absorber consists of a tube bundle, an outer shell

(common with the evaporator), distribution trays, and an
absorbent collection sump. Concentrated absorbent solution
(63.4%) from the low temperature generator is fed into the
distribution trays. This solution falls on the absorber tubes.
Concentrated absorbent has an affinity to water. Hence the
vapourised refrigerant from the evaporator section is absorbed.
Due to this absorption the vacuum in the shell is maintained at
a low pressure and ensures the correct chilled water
temperature. The concentrated absorbent becomes diluted.
During this dilution the 'Heat of Dilution' is generated. This
increases the temperature of the absorbent solution. This heat
is removed by the cooling water being circulated in the
absorber tubes. As the absorbent solution loses its heat to the
cooling water, it is able to absorb more refrigerant vapour, and
gets further diluted. The diluted absorbent (58.5%) collects
in the bottom of the shell.

Heat exchangers The absorbent pump pumps the diluted absorbent to the high
temperature generator. A part of it first passes through drain
heat exchangers where it absorbs heat from the condensed
refrigerant from the low temperature generator. It next flows
through heat reclaimer where it absorbs heat from steam
condensate. The other part of liquid passes the low
temperature heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the
concentrated absorbent. It next flows through the high
temperature heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the
intermediate absorbent solution. Then both the dilute solutions
mix at high temperature heat exchanger outlet .The solution
then enter the high temperature generator. The heat
exchangers serve to heat up the absorbent solution before it
enters the high temperature generator for regeneration. This
reduces the heat input required in the high temperature
generator. This increases the efficiency of the cycle.
High Temperature The high temperature generator (HTG) consists of a tube

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 A.06.Cycle of Operation

Generator bundle, an outer shell and a set of eliminators. Steam is

allowed to pass inside the tubes. The diluted absorbent flows
around these tubes and is heated. The temperature of the
solution increases until it reaches it's boiling point. The
absorbed refrigerant boils out of the solution. The solution
concentration increases (to 61%). This increased
concentration is referred to as the intermediate concentration.
The vaporised refrigerant generated passes through the
eliminators and goes to the low temperature generator.

Low Temperature The low temperature generator (LTG) and condenser tube
Generator and Condenser bundles are enclosed in a shell and are separated by an
insulation plate. The vaporised refrigerant flows into the LTG
tubes. It heats the intermediate absorbent, flowing outside the
tubes, and condenses. The condensed refrigerant flows into the
condenser. Refrigerant vapourised from the intermediate
absorbent passes through the eliminators to the condenser.
Here cooling water being circulated inside the condenser tubes
cools it. The refrigerant vapour condenses on the outside of
the condenser tubes and collects in the bottom of the
condenser. The condensed refrigerant from the LTG and the
condenser mix and flows to the evaporator. The absorbent,
which has become concentrated in the LTG drains to the
absorber to begin a new absorbent cycle.

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DOUBLE EFFECT STEAM FIRED CYCLE DIAGRAM (SD)

Fig 2. Cooling Mode

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