Feasibility study and performance evaluation of low capacity water–LiBr absorption cooling systems functioning in different Algerian climate zones

• Published in: International journal of refrigeration Vol. 82; pp. 36 - 50
• Main Authors: Ketfi, Omar, Merzouk, Mustapha, Merzouk, Nachida Kasbadji, Bourouis, Mahmoud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Absorption chillers; Absorption cooling; Absorption rates; Chillers; Climate; Climate zones in Algeria; Cooling; Cooling systems; Eau–LiBr; Feasibility; Feasibility studies; Performance evaluation; Refroidissement thermique; Refroidisseurs à absorption; Thermal cooling; Water; Water temperature; Water–LiBr; Zones climatiques algériennes; Algeria; Thermal cooling; Water–LiBr; Zones climatiques algériennes; Eau–LiBr; Absorption chillers; Climate zones in Algeria; Refroidisseurs à absorption; Refroidissement thermique
• ISSN: 0140-7007; 1879-2081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2017.07.002

•Water–LiBr absorption chillers were analysed in the five climate zones in Algeria.•In zones E1 and E2, the chillers produced chilled water at 7 °C and partial charge.•In the hot zones E3, E4 and E5, it was not feasible to produce chilled water at 7 °C.•The chillers were able to produce chilled water at 12 °C in zones E3 and E4.•The chillers were not able to operate under the thermal conditions of zone E5.
A performance analysis was carried out on water–LiBr absorption chillers performing in the five different climate zones in Algeria. A 17.6 kW single-effect and a 16 kW double-effect commercial absorption chillers were simulated. In climate zones E1 and E2, the single-effect and double-effect chillers supplied 37% and 91%, respectively, of their nominal capacity to produce chilled water at 7 °C. In the hot climate zones E3, E4 and E5, it was not feasible for either of the chillers to produce chilled water at 7 °C. By increasing the chilled water temperature to 12 °C both absorption chillers were able to operate in climate zones E3 and E4. The single-effect chiller reached 45% of its nominal capacity in zone E3 and 33% in zone E4. The double-effect chiller delivered 80% of its nominal capacity in both climate zones. Neither of the chillers was able to operate under the thermal conditions of climate zone E5.