Comparison between two different solution-pumping methods in absorption refrigeration machines

Abstract

This paper presents a pumping method in absorp-tion refrigeration where a vapour-driven pump is to replace the electricity-driven pump. The vapour pump is driven by a fraction of the generator’s hot, high-pressure, vapour mixture. The refrigerator is thus exclusively heat-powered and rendered inde-pendent of the availability of electricity as the main energy source. The design and operation of the vapour pump is presented. The results obtained by a computer simulation program show a decrease in performance (COP), which is confirmed by the data obtained from a 1 kW cooling capacity refrigerator. Peak performances occur at higher generator tem-peratures when compared to a cycle using an elec-tricity-driven pump