Optimization study of the compression/absorption cycle
Abstract For each external situation optimum working conditions for the compression/absorption cycle can be found. The improvement in cycle performance which is gained by optimizing the temperature gradient in the absorber is considerable, particularly for situations with small external temperature gradients. Theoretically, the external and internal temperature gradients should be equal to maximize the cycle performance. The introduction of a solution loop, however, changes this and the optimum internal temperature gradient is always larger than the external gradients. The optimum point of operation is found by studying the changes in the compressor and pump and the heat loss obtained in the solution heat exchanger with the working conditions. A comparison of a compression/absorption cycle, using NH3-H2O, and a compression cycle working with pure R12, always results in a higher coefficient of performance for the former. The capacity of the NH3-H2O system is also considerably higher.