Vapour absorption refrigeration system:

A Vapour absorption refrigeration system is a type of absorption refrigeration system that uses ammonia as a refrigerant and water as an absorbent. This system operates on the principle of absorption to provide cooling.

Components of Vapour absorption refrigeration system:

• Evaporator: The evaporator is responsible for absorbing heat from the surrounding environment, which is transferred to the refrigerant in the system.
• Absorber: The absorber absorbs the ammonia vapor into the water to form an ammonia-water solution.
• Generator: The generator is responsible for heating the solution to separate the ammonia vapor from the water.
• Condenser: The condenser cools the high-pressure and high-temperature ammonia vapor to convert it into a liquid state.
• Refrigerant: The refrigerant is the working fluid that circulates through the system to provide cooling.
• Absorbent: The absorbent is the solution that absorbs the refrigerant vapor.

Vapour absorption refrigeration system line diagram

Working of Vapour absorption refrigeration system:

In a this system, the refrigerant used is ammonia, and water is used as the absorbent. The system operates by circulating the refrigerant through a series of components, as follows:

• The ammonia is evaporated in the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment.
• The ammonia vapor then passes through the absorber, where it is absorbed into the water to form an ammonia-water solution.
• The solution then passes to the generator, where it is heated to separate the ammonia vapor from the water.

• The high-pressure and high-temperature ammonia vapor then passes through the condenser, where it is cooled and condensed into a liquid state.
• The liquid ammonia then passes back to the evaporator, where the cycle starts over again.

Applications:

This system is used in various applications, such as air conditioning, industrial processes, and refrigeration.

These systems are suitable for low-temperature cooling applications and are often used in industries that require process cooling, such as chemical processing, food processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Additionally, This can be used in small-scale cooling applications, such as residential air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

These systems are also used in cold storage facilities, such as warehouses and distribution centers, where temperature control is essential to preserve the quality and shelf life of perishable goods.

Advantages

1. Low Energy Consumption: VARS can utilize waste heat or solar energy, reducing the need for electrical energy. This is particularly attractive for applications where heat energy is cheap or abundant.
2. Fewer Moving Parts: With no compressors, there are fewer mechanical parts that can fail or require maintenance, leading to longer service life and lower maintenance costs.
3. Quiet Operation: Without mechanical compressors, VARS are quieter compared to compression refrigeration systems.
4. Environmental Friendliness: VARS can use environmentally friendly refrigerants that do not harm the ozone layer or have a low global warming potential.

Disadvantages

1. Larger Size and Weight: VARS are generally larger and heavier than conventional mechanical systems for the same cooling capacity, making them less suitable for applications with space or weight constraints.
2. Lower Efficiency: Compared to compression refrigeration systems, VARS typically have lower thermal efficiency, especially at lower cooling temperatures.
3. High Initial Investment: The initial cost of VARS can be higher than conventional systems due to specific and potentially more expensive components and materials.
4. Sensitivity to Ambient Conditions: The performance of VARS can be significantly affected by ambient temperature, which may reduce their efficiency under less favorable conditions.
5. Slow Start and Control: VARS have longer startup times and are slower to respond to changes in load compared to compression systems.

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