The experimental investigation on the plastic heat exchanger applied in Lithium Bromide-Water absorption chillers

In Lithium Bromide-water absorption chillers, the employ of metal heat exchangers induces the corrosion, fouling and higher cost compare with metal devices. Taking theses into considerations a novel thin-walled and small diameter PTFE(Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene) plastic heat exchanger has been developed to instead of the conventional metal devices in Lithium Bromide-Water absorption chillers in the present work. A prototype of single-effect Lithium Bromide-Water absorption chiller has been designed. And then, a series of performances of the sample prototype have been tested, and the concerned factors affecting the refrigeration performance of Lithium Bromide-Water absorption chillers have been investigated. The experimental results indicate that the PTFE heat exchangers have a good performance in Lithium Bromide-Water absorption chillers and can impair corrosion. The maximum COP, 0.236, is attained when the flux of chilled water is 560L/h, while the maximum COP, 0.228, is attained as the flux of cooling water in condenser is 560L/h.