Absortiokylmäkoneet

Absortiokylmäkoneet, also known as absorption refrigerators or chillers, are refrigeration devices that operate on a thermodynamic cycle to produce cooling. Unlike compression refrigerators which use a mechanical compressor, absorption refrigerators utilize a thermal compressor. This process relies on the principle of absorption and desorption of a refrigerant into an absorbent solution.

The core components of an absorption refrigeration system typically include an evaporator, absorber, generator, and condenser. In a common ammonia-water system, ammonia is the refrigerant and water is the absorbent. Heat is applied to the generator, causing the refrigerant (ammonia) to vaporize and be driven out of the absorbent solution. This vapor then travels to the condenser, where it cools and liquefies. The liquid refrigerant flows to the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the space to be cooled, causing it to vaporize again. This low-pressure refrigerant vapor then returns to the absorber, where it is reabsorbed by the absorbent solution, completing the cycle.

The primary advantage of absorption refrigeration is its ability to utilize waste heat or low-grade thermal energy as its primary energy source, making it suitable for applications where such heat is readily available, such as industrial processes or solar thermal energy systems. They are also often quieter and have fewer moving parts than compression refrigerators. However, they can be less energy-efficient in terms of primary energy input for a given cooling effect and may have a larger physical footprint. Absorption refrigeration systems are widely used in industrial cooling, air conditioning, and in applications where electricity is scarce or expensive.