Industrial heat recovery by absorption/compression heat pump using TFE–H2O–TEGDME working mixture

The thermodynamic performance of a single-stage absorption/compression heat pump using the ternary working fluid Trifluoroethanol–Water–Tetraethylenglycol dimethylether (TFE–H₂O–TEGDME) for upgrading waste heat has been studied. A simulation program has been developed using a mathematical model based on mass and energy balances in all components of the cycle and thermodynamic equilibrium considerations. In order to establish the optimum operating conditions of the cycle for various thermal conditions, sensitivity studies of the coefficient of performance (COP), the flow rate of the weak solution and the compressor volumetric displacement, both per unit of upgraded energy, were carried out versus of water content in the vapour phase.The results obtained show that the operation of the cycle with this ternary system is still more advantageous than the TFE–TEGDME binary working pair. So, it is possible to upgrade thermal waste heat from 80 to 120°C, with a COP of about 6.4, with a compression pressure ratio of 4 at a low pressure of 100 kPa, the water mole fraction in the vapour being 42%. At these operating conditions, the necessary weak solution mass flow rate is about three times lower than the corresponding binary one. The performance comparison of such a cycle with other absorption cycles like the heat transformer or the single-effect heat pump, both of them using the ternary system, shows its interest and potential.     

Simulation of dynamics and control of a double-effect LiBr–H2O absorption chiller

A dynamic model has been developed to simulate dynamic operation of a real double-effect absorption chiller. Dynamic behavior of working fluids in main components was modeled in first-order nonlinear differential equations based on heat and mass balances. Mass transport mechanisms among the main components were modeled by valve throttling, ‘U’ tube overflow and solution sub-cooling. The nonlinear dynamic equations coupled with the subroutines to calculate thermodynamic properties of working fluids were solved by a numerical method. The dynamic performance of the model was compared with the test data of a commercial medium chiller. The model showed a good agreement with the test data except for the first 83 min during which different flow rates of the weak solution caused some discrepancy. It was found that the chiller dynamics is governed by the inlet temperatures of the cooling water and the chilled water when the heat input to the chiller is relatively constant. For a step change of load at constant inlet temperatures of the cooling water and the chilled water, the response time of the chilled water exit temperature was about 15 min and it was due to the thermal capacities of the chiller. The dilution cycle was found to be an essential means for improvement of control performance as well as anti-crystallization.     

Experimental evaluation of a low-power direct air-cooled double-effect LiBr–H2O absorption prototype

This paper describes a new small air-cooled double-effect LiBr–H₂O absorption prototype directly powered by fuel and discusses the experimental findings for some tests carried out in Madrid in 2007, with natural gas as energy source. The prototype, which has been designed to supply 7 kW of cooling power, was able to chill water up to 7–18 °C under extreme outdoor temperatures. A new flat-sheet adiabatic absorber was used allowing it to operate at outdoor temperatures about 45 °C without any sign of crystallization. A mean daily coefficient of performance (COP) of about 1.05 was obtained. Since this absorption machine does not need cooling tower, there is neither water consumption nor Legionella pollution. Moreover, it is a quite compact unit. The ratio of cooling power over volume is about 6.0 kW/m³, while for the only air-cooled absorption chiller, Rotartica 045v, in the marked until 2009 this ratio is 4 kW/m³. When comparing with electric chillers presently on the market, this prototype was found to have a cooling cost approximately 15.9% higher and an environmental impact 16.7% lower. The absorption prototype is a more environmentally friendly solution as it does not emit fluorinated refrigerants.     

Model based experimental performance analysis of a microscale LiBr–H2O steam-driven double-effect absorption Chiller

This work presents a comprehensive chiller model based on the scientific fundamentals and engineering principles adapted to the design of a chiller and to the analysis of extensive, detailed test data. The chiller studied is a 16 kW (4.6 refrigerant tons) LiBr–H₂O double-effect absorption chiller, which has been installed and tested in a Micro Building Cooling Heating and Power (BCHP) system at Carnegie Mellon University. The developed steady-state computational performance model for the chiller has been refined by measured data from absorption chiller tests under various conditions, and used to analyze chiller performance and to improve the chiller design.     

Modeling of the absorption phase of a cycle with solar absorption using the couple NH3–H2O for in-sight energy storage

In this work, the emphasis is laid on the study of energy storage and the estimate of the energy density stored for use in the absorption machine in its simplest configuration. As a matter of fact, a simulation program is used to calculate the solution densities and the dynamic system storage in an absorption cycle phase. In times of discharge, the evaporator and the absorber are the only devices in the cycle to operate either in energy or in the upgrading refrigeration. Such a study allows us to select the cooling phase with three storage tanks. At the entrance of the evaporator and the absorber, both reservoirs contain the pure refrigerant and the weak solution already stored in the generation phase during an operating day (charging phase). At the output of the third absorber, the tank is empty. An amount of the refrigerant evaporated at low temperature in the evaporator, receiving an amount of heat Q_E, and is absorbed by the weak solution with the release of an amount of heat Q_A at an intermediate temperature. The rich solution is, then, stored in the third tank. At the end of cooling, when both tanks are empty, the third will be full in order to be used in the generating phase.     

Numerical and experimental analysis of falling-film exchangers used in a LiBr–H2O interseasonal heat storage system

This paper investigates heat and mass transfer occurring in an interseasonal absorption heat storage system using LiBr/H₂O as the sorption couple. It focuses on the poor performances of the falling film exchangers with vertical tubes, which are characterized by low flow rate compared to conventional absorption machines. A numerical model was developed for the study and validated with specific experimental results. Comparison of the numerical model to experimental results from the heat storage prototype shows the presence of abnormally high thermal resistance between the falling films and the exchanger surfaces. The deterioration in performance appears to originate in the low wetting rate of the surfaces. A new design of the exchangers is proposed to solve this problem and thus attain the desired performance.     

Exergy analysis of multi-effect water–LiBr absorption systems: From half to triple effect

An exergy analysis, which only considers the unavoidable exergy destruction, is conducted for single, double, triple and half effect Water–Lithium bromide absorption cycles. Thus, the obtained performances represent the maximum achievable performance under the given operation conditions.The coefficient of performance (COP), the exergetic efficiencies and the exergy destruction rates are determined and the effect of the heat source temperature is evaluated. As expected, the COP increases significantly from double lift to triple effect cycles. The exergetic efficiency varies less among the different configurations. In all cycles the effect of the heat source temperature on the exergy destruction rates is similar for the same type of components, while the quantitative contributions depend on cycle type and flow configuration. Largest exergy destruction occurs in the absorbers and generators, especially at higher heat source temperatures.     

Fabrication and testing of a H2–O2 fuel cell using MoxRuySez

We report the results obtained in the preparation and characterization of Mo_xRu_ySe_z electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and the design, construction and characterization of a H₂–O₂ fuel cell using Mo_xRu_ySe_z. The catalysts were characterized with respect to their electrocatalytic properties. The fuel cell was designed and built with Mo_xRu_ySe_z supported on carbon as cathode, Pt supported on carbon as anode, and H₂SO₄ as the electrolyte. The fuel cell was tested at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The H₂–O₂ cell showed an efficiency in the order of 30%.     

Cooling performance investigation of electronics cooling system using Al2O3–H2O nanofluid

In this study, the cooling performance of Al₂O₃–H₂O nanofluid was experimentally investigated as a much better developed alternative for the conventional coolant. For this purpose the nanofluid was passed through the custom-made copper minichannel heat sink which is normally attached with the electronic heat source. The thermal performance of the Al₂O₃–H₂O nanofluid was evaluated at different volume fraction of the nanoparticle as well as at different volume flow rate of the nanofluid. The volume fraction of the nanoparticle varied from 0.05 vol.% to 0.2 vol.% whereas the volume flow rate was increased from 0.50 L/min to 1.25 L/min. The experimental results showed that the nanofluid successfully has minimized the heat sink temperature compared to the conventional coolant. It was noticed also that the thermal entropy generation rate was reduced via using nanofluid instead of the normal water. Among the other functions of the nanofluid are to increase the frictional entropy generation rate and to drop the pressure which are insignificant compared to the normal coolant. Given the improved performance of the nanofluid, especially for high heat transportation capacity and low thermal entropy generation rate, it could be used as a better alternative coolant for the electronic cooling system instead of conventional pure water.     

Analysis of the process characteristics of an absorption heat transformer with compact heat exchangers and the mixture TFE–E181

In the project described in this paper an experimental rig for a one-stage absorption heat transformer was designed and constructed. One aim of the project was to reduce the investment costs for the apparatus. This incorporates new and less expensive compact brazed plate heat exchangers for generator, evaporator, condenser and solution heat exchanger. The absorber was designed as a helical coil pipe absorber, where the weak solution trickles down as a falling film outside of the coil. The tests of the equipment involved measurements using a mixture of trifluorethanol (TFE) and tetraethyleneglycoldimethylether (E181). The process characteristics were investigated for different temperatures of the rich solution leaving the absorber. Experimental results are presented and compared with the results of a computer simulation model. Additionally the model was used to compare the COP of the heat transformation process with the mixtures lithium bromide–water (LiBr–H₂O) and ammonia–water (NH₃–H₂O). Furthermore, the overall heat and mass transfer coefficients for the plate heat exchangers and the falling film absorber were evaluated and compared with those of shell and tube heat exchangers.     

Couple stress flow of exponentially stretching sheet with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model

This paper deals with the effect of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic flow for a couple of stress fluids on an exponentially stretching sheet. The magnetic field is implemented normally to the surface. To observe the transfer of heat phenomenon, the Cattaneo–Christov flux model of heat is employed. Using similarity transformation, the substantial differential equations are reformed into ordinary differential equations. Eventually, the effects of different physical parameters are studied graphically. The drawback in Fourier heat flux model is removed by adding a new paramter known as thermal relaxation time by Cattaneo. This perimeter allows heat transportation by way of propagation of waves thermally at a defined speed. After this, the Cattaneo law is further modified by Christov–Christov to replace the ordinary derivative along Oldroyd's upper-convective derivative.     

Neuro-intelligent mappings of hybrid hydro-nanofluid Al2O3–Cu–H2O model in porous medium over rotating disk with viscous dissolution and Joule heating

The aim of study is to investigate the mass and heat transfer phenomena in hybrid hydro-nanofluidic system involving Al₂O₃–Cu–H₂O over the rotating disk in porous medium with viscous dissolution and Joule heating through the stochastic solver by way of Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation neural networks. The mathematical model in system of PDEs describes the physical phenomena of the hybrid hydro-nanofluid flow problem are converted into set of ODEs by means of scaling group transformations. The datasets are constructed by utilizing the power of explicit Runge-Kutta numerical method that help to the develop a continuous neural networks mapping. The validation, training and testing processes are utilized to learn the neural network mapping to estimate the solution of various scenarios with cases that are constructed by varying different values of physical constraints such as porosity factor, inertia coefficient, Prandtl number, Brinkman number, radiation parameter, mgnetic parameter, concentration of nanoparticles on the velocities and temperature profiles. Determination, convergence, verification and stability of Levenberg-Marquardt backpropogation neural network mappings are validated on the assessment of achieved accuracy through regression based statistical analysis, mean squared error and error histograms for hybrid hydro-nanofluidic model.     

Hydrogen absorption–desorption cycle experiment of Pd–Al2O3 pellets

A series of hydrogen absorption–desorption processes using a pellet form of Pd–Al₂O₃ was repeated up to 1010 cycles. Variations in the amounts and rates of hydrogen absorption and desorption with cycles were determined by means of a constant-volume method. The amounts and rates of absorption and desorption were almost unchanged up to 1010 cycles. The Scanning Electron Microscope pictures and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy showed no microscopic change on the pellet surface after 1010 cycles. The experimental results assured a high tolerance of the Pd–Al₂O₃ pellet to repetitive absorption–desorption cycles.     

Characteristics of an air source heat pump with novel photoelectric sensors during periodic frost–defrost cycles

To avoid mal-defrost phenomenon, an innovative photoelectric sensor is developed and presented in this paper. It is referred to as “Tube Encircled Photoelectric Sensor” (TEPS). Experiments are carried out in a controlled environmental chamber under standard frosting conditions. Ten TEPSs in 4 different models are tested on a commercial size air source heat pump with the nominal heating capacity of 60 kW. The characteristics of the air source heat pump, together with the performance of the TEPSs are investigated during 9 periodic frost–defrost cycles. Compared with the original defrosting control strategy equipped by the manufacturer, the proposed TEPS sensor reveals its potential ability to accurately control the defrosting process. Experimental results demonstrate that TEPSs can substantially prolong defrost intervals from 28.8 min to 52 min under the experimental conditions, and the number of defrost cycles can be reduced from 9 to 5. The performance improvement is found to be 6% to the heating efficiency, and 5% to the COP.     

Intelligent networks for crosswise stream nanofluidic model with Cu–H2O over porous stretching medium

The porous media transport theories are thoroughly operative to analyse transferral phenomenon in reducing the bio-convective flow instabilities and biological tissues. The present study is designed to investigate the heat transfer phenomena in nanofluidic system involving Cu ? H₂O over the stretched porous media with the strength of stochastic solver via Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation networks. The mathematical model of physical phenomena is described in PDEs that are reduced to system of ODEs through scaling group transformations. The datasets are determined through explicit Runge-Kutta numerical method and used as a target parameter for the development of continuous neural networks mapping. The training, testing and validation processes are utilized in learning of neural network models based on backpropagation of Levenberg-Marquardt technique to determines the solution of different scenarios constructed on the various values of porosity parameter along with six different cases based on the stretching ratio values. Validation and verification of neural network model to find the solution of nanfluidic problem is endorsed on the assessment of achieved accuracy through mean squared error, error histograms and regression studies.     

Experimental study of an ammonia–water bubble absorber using a plate heat exchanger for absorption refrigeration machines

The development of absorption chillers activated by renewable heat sources has increased due mainly to the increase in primary energy consumption that causes problems such as greenhouse gases and air pollution among others. These machines, which could be a good substitute for compression systems, could be used in the residential and food sectors which require a great variety of refrigeration conditions. Nevertheless, the low efficiency of these machines makes it necessary to enhance heat and mass transfer processes in the critical components, mainly the absorber, in order to reduce their large size.This study used ammonia–water as the working fluid to look at how absorption takes place in a plate heat exchanger operating under typical conditions of absorption chillers, driven by low temperature heat sources. Experiments were carried out using a corrugated plate heat exchanger model NB51, with three channels, where ammonia vapor was injected in bubble mode into the solution in the central channel. The results achieved for the absorption flux were in the range of 0.0025–0.0063 kg m^?2 s^?1, the solution heat transfer coefficient varied between 2.7 and 5.4 kW m^?2 K^?1, the absorber thermal load from 0.5 to 1.3 kW. In addition, the effect of the absorber operating conditions on the most significant efficiency parameters was analyzed. The increase in pressure, solution and cooling flow rates positively affect the absorber performance, on the other hand an increase in the concentration, cooling, and solution temperature negatively affects the absorber performance.     

Study and control of the optimal generation temperature in NH3–H2O absorption refrigeration systems

This paper presents the results of a study on the optimal generator temperature (OGT) in single stage NH₃–H₂O Absorption Refrigeration Systems (AARS). It is well known that the generation temperature affects the AARS’s Coefficient of Performance (COP) and that there is a temperature value, called optimal generation temperature, for which the COP is maximum. Therefore, to develop new control strategies designed to maintain the optimal temperature in the system generator, it is necessary to study the dependency of this temperature on thermal operating conditions and system design parameters. One such type of study has been carried out here by means of a parametric analysis, using a simple model implemented in a computer program. Based on the results obtained a novel control system that works on two separated control-loops has been designed. The proposed control system maintains a constant temperature in the space to refrigerate as well as the optimal temperature in the system generator.     

Effects of confinement on detonation in H2–O2 mixture with transverse concentration gradient

Since hydrogen has wide flammability limit and low ignition energy, it could be easily ignited and be easy for the transition to a detonation, leading to extremely serious impacts in explosion accidents or extremely high combustion effeciency in the propulsion. In the field of explosion accidents and the combustion chamber of propulsion systems, hydrogen mixtures are more likely to be highly non-uniform and a detonation usually propagates in a non-homogeneous medium. The work studies behaviors of detonations in non-homogenous medium by a high-resolution simulations. We widen computational domain and steepen the gradient to weaken the role of transverse wave on cellular detonations propagating in the medium with transverse concentration gradient and to reveal the interaction of longitudinal shock with reaction wave. The results show that characteristics of detonations in nonuniform medium is controlled by coupling role of gradient and confinement. As a domain is sufficient wide, the reflection wave is rather weak so that the detonation takes on galloping propagation, with a single-head mode. As the width is mediate, detonation cell takes on highly irregularity, similar to that of highly unstable detonation. However, in the narrow domain, steepening gradient plays a key role while confinement becomes minor in detonation propagation.