absorptsioonkülmutust

Absorptsioonkülmutus is a refrigeration process that uses a heat source to provide the energy needed to drive the cooling cycle. Unlike traditional vapor-compression refrigeration which uses a mechanical compressor, absorption refrigeration relies on the physical absorption and desorption of a refrigerant. The primary components of an absorption refrigeration system include an absorber, a generator, a condenser, and an evaporator. The working fluids are typically a refrigerant, such as ammonia or water, and an absorbent, such as lithium bromide or water.

The cycle begins with the refrigerant being absorbed by the absorbent in the absorber, creating a low-pressure solution. This solution is then pumped to a higher pressure and heated in the generator. The heat causes the refrigerant to desorb from the absorbent, becoming a high-pressure vapor. This vapor then travels to the condenser where it is cooled and liquefied. The liquid refrigerant then flows to the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the space to be cooled and evaporates. The resulting low-pressure vapor returns to the absorber, completing the cycle.

Absorption refrigeration systems can be powered by various heat sources, including natural gas, propane, solar energy, or waste heat from industrial processes. This makes them an attractive option in situations where electricity is expensive or unreliable, or where waste heat is readily available. They are often used in applications such as residential refrigerators, air conditioning systems in buildings, and in some industrial cooling processes. While generally less energy-efficient than vapor-compression systems in terms of electrical input, their ability to utilize low-grade heat sources can make them economically and environmentally beneficial.