Refrigeration & Equipment Engineering

Unit 2 - Refrigeration Systems

2.7.Vapour absorption refrigeration system
The absorption refrigeration system uses heat energy instead of mechanical energy to change the condition required in the refrigeration cycle. The heat energy required may be obtained from a gas flame, an electrical heater, or a kerosene flame. The principal advantages in the absorption refrigeration system lies in the fact that, since no moving parts are involved, the repairs and maintenance cost will be minimum. The comparison between the functioning of an absorption system and a compression system of refrigeration is principally as follows: The absorption system uses heat (usually a gas flame) to circulate the refrigerant, while the compression system employs a compressor to circulate the refrigerant, while the components of the absorption system, which compare with the components of the vapour compression refrigeration system is as follows:

• The boiler or generator compares with the stroke of the compressor.
• The condenser and evaporator serve the same purpose in an absorption system as that in the vapour compression refrigeration.
• The absorber compare to the low side of the system.