Absorption chillers - in applications where heat is abundant

Absorption chillers use heat to drive a thermodynamic cycle that moves refrigerant (usually water) through the air conditioning system. Cooling coils in the system transfer heat from ambient air in warm interior spaces to the chilled water, which both cools and dehumidifies the air stream. Because they use high-temperature heat as their main energy source, absorption chillers are frequently used where heat is abundant, or electricity is limited.

SWEP brazed plate heat exchangers for absorption chillers

As an internal component in the absorption chiller system, SWEP brazed plate heat exchangers enable a tight temperature approach on both the low- and the high-temperature stream, improving heat recovery and increasing the efficiency of the entire system.

Benefits of absorption chillers

Most absorption chillers use water as a coolant, eliminating the need for high-GWP refrigerants.
Absorption chillers can be powered by waste heat, for significant energy savings.
Because they have no compressors, absorption chillers consume less energy.

How do they work?

In most systems, the refrigerant is water, mixed with lithium bromide, a non-toxic solvent.

In the evaporator, the water absorbs heat from the system, cooling the air conditioning circuit in a heat exchanger as it does. As it absorbs heat, the water is transformed into a low-pressure vapor. In the absorber, the water vapor is absorbed by the liquid lithium bromide. A pump is then used to increase the pressure on the water/lithium bromide solution, which continues to the interchanger where it is pre-heated by another heat exchanger.

Finally, in the regenerator, the water/lithium bromide solution will be boiled. Water vapor will separate from the liquid bromide solvent and be sent to a condenser, where it will change state, back into a liquid, shedding heat in the process. The water will then be recirculated through the chiller to be re-cooled, and the process will begin again.

A complete range of BPHEs for absorption chillers

The B-range of BPHEs from SWEP are compact, versatile, and easy to adapt to a number of different applications. This range includes units that feature extra-large ports sizes, all-stainless construction, among many other features.

Relevant products for your absorption chiller applications

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