Solar Energy Vol. 69, No. 1, pp.

3744, 2000
2000 Elsevier Science Ltd
Pergamon PII: S0038 092X( 00 )00007 4 All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain
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MULTI-PRESSURE ABSORPTION CYCLES IN SOLAR REFRIGERATION:

A TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL STUDY
SHAHAB ALIZADEH
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052,
Australia

Received 15 April 1998; revised version accepted 11 November 1999

Communicated by BYARD WOOD

AbstractA technical and economical study of regenerative absorption chillers with multi-pressure cycle has
been undertaken as solar operated refrigeration systems. Referred to as advanced absorption chillers they
represent one of the new technology options that are under development. Advanced absorption cooling
technology offers the possibility of chillers with thermal COPs of 1.5 or greater at driving temperatures of
1408C, which reduces the collector area and the heat rejection requirements compared to current absorption
cooling technology. Two different absorption systems have been considered. The first is an advanced,
double-effect regenerative absorption cooling system, driven at 1408C, whose efficiency is about 55% of the
Carnot efficiency. The second is an ideal, single-effect regenerative absorption system that achieves 70% of the
Carnot efficiency driven at 1408C or 2008C. To evaluate the solar performance of a thermally driven chiller
requires a separate analysis of the solar availability for a given location compared to the required monthly
average solar input. In this analysis different systems, including the vapour compression chillers, have been
compared in terms of the thermal and electrical energy input. An effective electrical COP may be computed
assuming that the ratio of electrical energy cost to thermal energy cost is four, which is typical of todays fossil
fuel costs. The effective electrical COPs of different technical options can then be compared. Those systems
with higher electrical COPs will have lower energy costs. If solar is to be competitive, then the cost of
delivered solar thermal energy should be less than the cost of delivered fossil thermal energy. 2000
Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. INTRODUCTION broken down into the same number as the genera-

tor sections. As a result of these features, an
While absorption technology isnt new, its poor
essentially constant boiling temperature and an
efficiency for refrigeration prevented it from
overall cycle that looks more like the Carnot cycle
competing with vapour compression systems ex-
than the conventional vapour compression cycle
cept where cheap heat was available. For high
are maintained.
efficiency in these applications, the working fluid
There are several sources of energy for pro-
needs to retain a high temperature in its boiler.
duction of refrigeration, the most important of
However, in conventional absorption system boil-
which are gas, electricity and solar energy. With
ers, where constant pressure is maintained, the
increasing gas and electricity tariffs, free solar
working fluid temperature decreases sharply.
energy becomes attractive. Compared with other
To remedy that, the pressure can be varied
energy transfer devices, relatively inexpensive flat
while keeping fluid temperature high. This results
plate solar collectors can be used to transfer this
in a multi-pressure regenerative cycle ranging
energy to flowing water or air which could be
from condenser pressure to evaporator pressure.
used for heating and cooling purposes.
To do this the condenser and evaporator sections
Solar is an attractive source of energy because
are kept essentially the same as in a conventional
it is renewable, has low energy cost, and cooling
system but the generator and absorber are modi-
load and availability of solar radiation are approx-
fied. The boiler or generator consists of several
imately in phase. At low temperatures the ef-
sections each comprising a boiling stage. After the
ficiency of solar collectors can be higher than the
fluid goes through one stage, it expands through a
efficiency of high temperature collectors (Duffie
valve into the next stage, therefore the absorber is
and Beckman, 1980) or much higher than the
photovoltaic conversion to electricity (Mitchell,

Tel.: 161-8-8302-3794; 1983).

e-mail: shahab alizadeh@hotmail.com
]
For solar energy applications, present practice

37
38
Fig. 1. Variation of collector efficiency with r (Yazaki, 1978).
is to use the water cooled waterlithium bromide
absorption chiller (Anderson, 1976). In compari-
son to the ammoniawater cycle the water
lithium bromide cycle has a number of advan-
tages, the principal advantages being, a higher
coefficient of performance (COP) and its genera-
tor temperature operating range is within the
output temperature operating range of high quality
flat plate solar collectors.
High quality correctly installed flat plate solar
collectors using selective surfaces will deliver hot
water at temperatures up to 1008C. The per-
formance characteristics of such a collector
(Yazaki, 1978) is depicted in Fig. 1 where the
instantaneous efficiency is plotted versus r, de-
fined as
TC 2 T0
r 5 ]]]. (1)
I tors be used for driving NH 3 H 2 O systems
Evacuated tube solar collectors have also been
used for powering the waterlithium bromide
absorption cooling systems (Ward et al., 1976).
2. PERFORMANCE OF THE COMMERCIAL
SYSTEMS
2.1. Basic solar absorption cycles
A number of authors have investigated the
performance of absorption refrigeration cycles
S. Alizadeh
where the heat source has been supplied by solar
energy. Phillips (1976) discusses the ammonia
water absorption cycle with respect to its suitabili-
ty for air cooling. Whitlow (1976) analysed the
ammoniawater cycle with respect to variations
in heat source and heat sink temperatures and
coefficient of performance. His findings were that
if flat plate collectors are to be considered, then
the source temperature is limited to 901008C
which necessitates sink temperatures of less than
328C to give a COP of 0.4. This limitation negates
the possibility of an air cooled system with source
temperatures of 1008C or less. To obtain con-
denser and absorber temperatures below 328C
requires cooling water at a temperature of about
288C, thus, cooling towers are ruled out where
wet-bulb design temperature is 248C or greater.
Whitlow recommends that concentrating collec-
thereby eliminating the necessity for water cool-
ing. Figs. 2 and 3 show the performance of air
cooled and water cooled NH 3 H 2 O systems. For
both cases the COP drops sharply as the con-
centration of the strong solution approaches that
of the weak solution.
Ammoniawater absorption cycles with coeffi-
cients of performance greater than one have been
postulated by Chinnappa (1974). Two cycles, the
double-effect condensing cycle and the double-
effect resorption cycle have calculated COPs of
 Multi-pressure absorption cycles in solar refrigeration 39

Fig. 2. COP values for the air cooled and water cooled conditions (Whitlow, 1976).

1.2 and 1.3 for mean generator temperatures of
848C and 908C, respectively. Since these are
calculated values of COP, in practice they will be
lower. For the double-effect condensing cycle
estimating evaporator temperature is 2108C. The
condensing temperature for these two cycles was
assumed to be 348C. Chinnappa concludes that
these non-conventional cycles require smaller
collector area than the present conventional units
and estimates their costs to be 1.6 to 1.7 times
that of conventional units. Absorption chillers
have been incorporated into solar heating and

Fig. 3. Generator temperatures for the air cooled and water cooled conditions (Whitlow, 1976).
40 S. Alizadeh
cooling systems and experimental results pub-
lished by a number of authors (Ward, 1979;
Sheridan, 1972; Lof and Ward, 1975; Mumma
and Sepsy, 1976). These results indicate suitabili-
ty of the water cooled H 2 OLiBr system for
refrigeration using solar energy as heat input.
2.2. Double-effect absorption cycles
As was discussed previously, in a single-effect
absorption cycle a considerable amount of heat is
rejected from the condenser and absorber during
the condensation and absorption of the refrigerant
vapour. A double-effect absorption cycle which is
made up of a coupling of two single-effect cycles
makes possible the recovery of this heat that
otherwise would be lost, thus improving the
efficiency of the system. In the conventional
double-effect cycle, the condensation of the re-
frigerant vapour generated from the first effect
generator releases heat to boil out refrigerant in
the second-effect generator. In the common con-
denser cycle the refrigerant vapours generated by
both generators are at the same pressure; they are
subsequently rectified and condensed in the same
condenser.
The common condenser cycle is essentially the
coupling of two conventional single-effect cycles.
The first single-effect cycle operates at high
generator temperatures to boil out refrigerant
vapour at the common condenser pressure and
absorbs refrigerant vapour at the common
evaporator pressure (the evaporator is common to
both coupled cycles). This absorption of vapour
releases heat at a temperature high enough to boil
out refrigerant in the generator of the second
single-effect cycle.
The conventional double-effect cycle is also
essentially the coupling of two single-effect cy-
cles. The difference between the conventional and
common condenser cycles consists in the mode of
coupling: for the conventional double-effect cycle,
the coupling is between the first-effect condensing
process and the second-effect generating process;
for the common condenser cycle the coupling is
between the first-effect absorption and the second-
effect generating process. The common condenser
double-effect cycle cannot be used with NH 3
H 2 O mixtures because the pressure in the genera-
tor of the first-effect would be too high (about 61
bars).
2.3. Multi-pressure absorption cycles; single
and double-effect regenerative (1 R and 2 R)
cycles
As already mentioned, basic absorption cycles
have two undesirable characteristics, namely
sharp cut-off input temperatures below which the
cycle ceases to operate and almost constant
coefficient of performance with increasing input
temperature. Because of these deficiencies the
basic cycle cannot benefit from the development
of efficient high temperature collectors and cannot
be used during considerable periods when the
insolation is low. The 1R cycles much higher
COP at high input temperatures and workable
COP at very low input temperatures largely
eliminate the shortcomings of the basic cycles.
The double-effect regenerative absorption re-
frigeration cycle (or 2R cycle) is an effort to
design an efficient cooling system for solar appli-
cations. As already mentioned, present solar
activated cooling systems have either a low
efficiency or a sharp cut-off temperature that
prevents the effective use of highly available solar
radiation. Conventional single-effect absorption
systems have a low COP of the order of 0.70 and
a sharp cut-off input temperature of about 938C.
Conventional double-effect absorption systems
have a good COP of about 1.10 but unfortunately,
they also have a sharp cut-off input temperature
of about 1508C. The 2R cycle described in this
paper has a continuously increasing COP at
higher temperatures, approaching 63% of the
Carnot COP. This cycle works efficiently with
input temperatures from 708C (with the condenser
and the evaporator temperatures being 438C and
48C, respectively).
Calculated COPs are plotted in Figs. 4 and 5
versus some important parameters. As a com-
parison, the COP values for the basic single-effect
and conventional double-effect cycles have also
been shown in Fig. 6. The figures show that the
2R cycle performs as well as the single-effect
cycle at low boiler temperatures and as well as the
double-effect at high temperatures. The COP of
the 2R cycle increases continuously with increas-
ing boiler temperature. While this is slightly less
than the COP of the 1R cycle, the configuration of
the 2R cycle is less complicated and only a
careful cost analysis of the two systems can
determine which one is better. The absence of
cut-off temperatures is a feature of the 2R cycle
that makes it superior to double-effect cycles.
Figs. 4 and 5 show that at low condenser
absorber temperatures, T 0 , and high boiler tem-
peratures, the COP of the 2R cycle can be
substantially higher than the basic double-effect
cycle and for the 1R cycle it can be even much
higher. These figures also show that 2R and 1R
cycles can be used as heat pump for heating
purposes since they have an acceptable COP at T E
of about 48C.
 Multi-pressure absorption cycles in solar refrigeration 41

Fig. 4. Calculated performance of 1R cycle using NH 3 H 2 O mixtures (Dao, 1978a,b).

3. ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS chillers for refrigeration which have the following

3.1. Cost and performance goals
Since energy costs will continue to rise in the
future, higher efficiency energy conversion equip-
ment is being developed and used. The competi-
tion of non-solar devices is as smart as the solar
advocates are, consequently the main competition
will be advanced, high-efficiency, electric-driven
chillers for cooling. It is therefore necessary to
develop advanced, high-efficiency, gas-driven
characteristics: (a) to be able to compete in the
marketplace with electric-driven units; (b) to
provide heat driven chillers to which solar-col-
lected thermal energy can couple.
In fact the solar-collected heat must be de-
livered to the energy conversion device (chiller)
for the same cost as gas-produced heat is de-
livered. Ideally, the solar cooling research has a
twofold objective: firstly, to develop an efficient
chiller that will operate on gas input (variable

Fig. 5. Calculated performance of 2R cycle using NH 3 H 2 O mixtures (Dao, 1978a,b).

42
Fig. 6. Basic single effect (NH 3 H 2 O) and conventional double-effect (H 2 OLiBr) absorption cycles.
temperature). Secondly, to develop solar collector
subsystems (collectors, piping, controls) that can
drive these chillers on an economically competi-
tive basis with gas heat sources.
3.2. Electric power from solar
Solar energy may be converted to electrical
energy using photovoltaic cells. The conversion
efficiency is normally around 15%, which can
vary up to 30%, and the cell efficiency is strongly
temperature dependent. It is technically feasible to
produce electricity using photovoltaic cells. The
technology to manufacture cells and collectors
exists, and the transmission of DC electricity and
its conversion to AC electricity are well known.
The barrier to implementation is economic.
The cost of solar cells with 15% efficiency and
mass produced is expected to be about $220 / m 2
of cell area. As an example, for a system using a
flat plate array, the total cost for photovoltaic cells
for a power plant with a capacity of 20,000 kW
would be $460310 6 . If a concentrating system
were used with a concentration ratio of 50:1, the
cell cost would be $444 / m 2 . However, collector
costs will probably be $110$220 / m 2 , and so the
system costs would be in the range of $230310 6
to $460310 6 .
Photovoltaic conversion to electricity can be
S. Alizadeh
cost effective if cell and collector prices are as
low as expected. Also the technical problems of
dissipating heat from the cells and efficiently
transmitting electricity from the cells to the
distribution system still remain. The power pro-
duced is in phase with refrigeration demands
which reduces the need for conventional refrigera-
tion systems. It appears that photovoltaic systems
will become a competitive electricity generating
system.
3.3. Status of high efficiency solar cooling and
outlook for success
In order to compare the different systems in
terms of the thermal and electrical energy input,
an effective electrical COP (EFFECOP) can be
computed for each technical option assuming that
the ratio of electrical energy cost to thermal
energy cost is four. Those systems with higher
effective electrical COPs will have lower energy
costs (see Table 1). This comparison indicates that
the ideal 1R cycle has the highest effective
electrical COP and consequently the lowest cost
(Warren and Wahlig, 1991).
4. CONCLUSIONS
In this study regenerative absorption chillers
 Multi-pressure absorption cycles in solar refrigeration 43

Table 1. Comparison of effective electrical COPs of different technical options (Warren and Wahlig, 1991)
Chiller type (a) Electrical performance (b) Thermal performance
TG Etotal ECOP QG TCOP EFFECOP
8C kW kW
Reciprocating chiller 271.4 2.04 2.04
Centrifugal chiller 173.1 3.59 3.59
Advanced absorption 140 87.1 10.75 390 1.19 3.30
Ideal absorption 140 85.6 11.12 330 1.41 3.74
Ideal absorption 200 82.6 11.91 241 1.93 4.68

with multi-pressure cycle were analysed for solar EFFECOP effective electrical coefficient of performance
Etotal total electrical use (kW)
operation and compared with conventional ab- I
2
hourly solar insolation (kJ / h m )
sorption chillers. Basic absorption refrigeration r ratio defined by Eq. (1) (8C h m 2 / kJ)
TCOP thermal coefficient of performance
cycles have two undesirable characteristics; name- T temperature (8C)
ly the low coefficient of performance and the high a absorptivity of the collector surface
cut-off input temperature below which the cycle emittance of glass cover of the collector
ceases to operate. Two solutions to the problem of hC collector efficiency

low COP and cut-off phenomena have been Subscripts

finalised. The first solution is the double-effect
regenerative absorption refrigeration cycle (2R
cycle). The second solution is the single-effect
regenerative absorption cycle (1R cycle). The
performance characteristics of the two cycles are
about equal. The approach adopted for develop-
ment of the advanced absorption chillers is to
make use of the 2R cycle system first, because it
is relatively simpler and therefore easier to in-
vestigate technically. Since the 1R cycle system
uses processes similar to those of the 2R cycle,
the success of the 2R cycle system should greatly
enhance the success of the 1R cycle.
Based on an economical analysis a comparison
has been made amongst different systems in terms
of thermal and electrical energy input. The effec-
tive electrical COP is computed for each technical
option. Those systems with higher effective elec-
trical COPs will have lower energy costs. This
comparison shows the highest effective electrical
COP for the ideal single-effect regenerative ab-
sorption chiller and therefore the lowest energy
cost.
Photovoltaic conversion to electricity can be
cost effective in solar refrigeration if collector
prices are as low as expected. Costs are being
reduced and the price is nearly competitive with
current conventionally generated electricity. It
appears that photovoltaic systems will become a
competitive electricity generating system.
NOMENCLATURE
COP coefficient of performance
ECOP electrical coefficient of performance
A absorber
C condenser
E evaporator
G generator
0 condenser, absorber or ambient
AcknowledgementsThe author wishes to thank Dr. I.L.
Maclaine-Cross for many valuable suggestions and discussions
during the period of this research.
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