1. Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as an
HCFC Phase-out Seminar
Current Status of Absorption
Refrigeration Technology
as an
Alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
Dr. Alaa Olama
Vice Chairman, GasCool
Vienna
18-20 February 2008

2. Contents 1.0- The theory of Absorption
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
Contents
1.0- The theory of Absorption
2.0- Classification of Absorption systems
3.0- Absorption technology today
4.0- Is Absorption a viable alternative to HCFC based systems?
5.0- Summary table & points system
6.0- Refrigeration applications
7.0- Conclusions

3. 1.0 The theory of Absorption
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
1.0 The theory of Absorption
- In an Absorption system, the electrical
compressor is substituted with a thermo-
chemical compression system.
- Accordingly, a small amount of mechanical work
is required, and a heat source drives the system.

4. MECHANCIAL VAPOUR COMRESSION
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
Low Side
MECHANCIAL VAPOUR COMRESSION
High Side
Evaporator
Condenser
POWER (kW)
Compressor
E.D.
HEAT (Q):
Natural Gas
Diesel
Steam
Hot Water
VAPOUR ABSORPTION MACHINE
Generator
Absorber
1.1 Comparison between a V.A.S. & M.V.C.

5. As Lithium Bromide becomes dilute it loses its capacity to absorb water vapour. It thus needs to be re-concentrated using a heat source. Heat source may be Steam or Flue gases or even Hot water.

6. 2.0 Classification of Absorption systems 2.2 Water-Ammonia systems
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
2.0 Classification of Absorption systems
2.1 Lithium Bromide-Water systems
2.2 Water-Ammonia systems
- Both systems use water or ammonia as a refrigerant.
Absorbents are Li.Br or water.
- Two firing types are available:
Direct fired or Indirect fired.
- Lithium Bromide-water systems cannot be air cooled,
water cooling is imperative.
- Water-Ammonia systems can be air cooled or water
cooled.

7. 3.0 Absorption Technology today
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
3.0 Absorption Technology today
3.1 Historical perspective

8. 3.2 Absorption Refrigeration in the world
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
3.2 Absorption Refrigeration in the world
Future Projection
FIG. 18: The Future of Absorption Demand
2010
2005
Year
2000
1995
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000 TR

9. By Amount (M U$) Total $637 M By Qty Total 6550 units
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
3.3 Absorption Refrigeration in the world
World Absorption Chiller Market Absorption ≧100RT 20
283
205
60.2
68.8
USA
China
Japan
Korea
Rest
180
2560
2050
900
860
USA
China
Japan
Korea
Rest
By Amount (M U$)
Total $637 M
By Qty
Total units

10. Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
3.4 Absorption Market (by Qty) Excluding Japan, China, Korea, USA
Country
Qty 20
Taiwan
Singapore 5
Indonesia 10
Thailand 50
Malaysia 20
Pakistan
120
Iran
150
Egypt 20 10
Hungary
Bulgaria 10
100
Italy 20
Brazil
India
315 10
Turky

11. 4.0 Is Absorption a viable alternative to HCFC based systems?
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
4.0 Is Absorption a viable alternative to
HCFC based systems?
4.1 Refrigeration capacities available
4.2 Technical suitability & applicability
4.3 Indicative prices of Absorption systems
4.4 Absorption systems operating costs & services
including energy consumption
4.5 Environmental impact (Ozone depletion & global
warming)
4.6 Safety issues
4.7 Technological, design & equipment changes
required for conversion

12. 4.1 Refrigeration capacities available:
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
Absorption
Systems
H2O – NH3
Direct fired
Air Cooled
Modular Production kW
(5 to 30 TR
Indirect fired
Water Cooled
Custom made
,000 kW
(200-10,000TR)
LiBr – H20
Incorporating a CT
Not Incorporating a CT
100-4,200kW
( TR) kW
( TR)
4.1 Refrigeration capacities available:
Cat. I Cat. II Cat. III Cat. IV Cat. V

13. 4.1 Refrigeration capacities available (Cont.):
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
4.1 Refrigeration capacities available (Cont.):
There are five capacity categories of Absorption
units available:
Cat H2O-NH kW ( 5 to 30 TR )
Cat H2O-NH ,000 kW (200 to 10,000 TR)
Cat LiBr-H2O kW (5 to 30 TR )
Cat LiBr-H2O kW (5 to 30 TR )
Cat LiBr-H ,000 kW ( 80 to 2,000 TR )

14. Refrigeration Capacity
Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology
Refrigeration Capacity
Item
S.N
LiBr - H2O
H2O – NH3
(80-2,000)
(30-1,200)
17 – 100
( 5 – 30 )
700 – 35000
( 200 – 10,000 )
Cat . 5
Cat . 4
Cat . 3
Cat . 2
Cat . 1 10
Refrigeration capacities available
4.1 9 6 8
Technical suitability & applicability
4.2 4 7 3
Indicative prices of
a b systems
4.3
Operating cost & savings ind. energy consumptions
4.4

15. Current Status of Absorption Refrigeration Technology as
an alternative to HCFC based Mechanical Vapour Compression Technology 10
Environmental impact
( ozone depletion & global warning
4.5 8 5
Safety issues
4.6 6 7
Technological . Design & equipment . changes required for conversion
4.7 64 54 56 57 49
Total ( out of 70 pts )
4.8
91 %
71 %
80 %
81 %
70 %
% age compared to
m v c
4.9