Abstract:

An experimental prototype of a single stage ammonia-water absorption chiller was designed，constructed and tested. Under operation conditions，results of the top vapour temperature，concentration and mass flow rate were measured. Based on the theories of equilibrium and non-equilibrium stages，mathematical models of the column have been assembled so as to quantify the simultaneous processes. Comparison of the calculated results with experimental data showed that the non-equilibrium model is satisfactory，in which the ammonia concentration and the temperature profile along the column height are in agreement with the experimental data. Under certain feed mass，the concentration of ammonia is increased with the increase in reflux ratio，but higher reflux ratio will have negative influence on the chiller performance.