PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF R134a/DMF BASED VAPOUR ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

This paper describes the experiments carried out to analyse the performance of a vapour absorption refrigeration system of 1 TR capacity with R134a /DMF. Plate heat exchangers are used as system components for evaporator, condenser, absorber, generator and solution heat exchanger. Bubble absorption principle is employed in the absorber. Hot water is used as heat source to supply heat to the generator. Effect of operating parameters such as generator temperature, condenser temperature and evaporator temperature on system performance are investigated. Performance of the system was compared with theoretically simulated performance. It was found that circulation ratio (CR) is lower at high generator and evaporator temperatures whereas it is higher at higher condenser temperatures. Also coefficient of performance (COP) is higher at high generator and evaporator temperatures whereas it is lower at higher condenser temperatures. Experimental results indicate that with addition of rectifier as well as improvement of vapour separation in generator storage tank, R134a /DMF based vapour absorption refrigeration system with plate heat exchangers could be very competitive for applications ranging from -10 degrees C to 10 degrees C, with heat source temperature in the range of 80 degrees C to 90 degrees C and with cooling water as coolant for absorber and condenser in the temperature range of 20 degrees C to 35 degrees C