Physical properties of the lithium bromide + 1,3-propanediol + water system

The experimental measurements of the basic four physical properties (solubility, vapor pressure, density and viscosity) of the lithium bromide + 1,3-propanediol + water system (LiBr/HO(CH₂)₃OH mass ratio = 3.5), a possible new working fluid for absorption heat pump, were carried out. Solubility was measured by the visual polythermal method in the temperature range from 264.65 to 358-95 K, and vapor pressure by the boiling point method from 330.75 to 408.45 K. Densities and viscosities were also measured by using a set of hydrometers and Ubbelohde-type capillary viscometers in the temperature range from 283.15 to 343.15 K. Each measured data set was correlated with a proper equation, and all the correlation results showed good agreement between measured and calculated values. Using the correlation results the Dühring chart was constructed and thus the system was found to be able to have a high absorber temperature, which is essential for the design of air-cooled absorption chiller.