Absorption Chillers Chill the Head, the Pocket, and the Air!
In this eco-generation, renewable energy technology is widely expanding and promoted to generate clean and safe energy and to help decrease dangerous gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and greenhouse gases.
Under the new technology, the absorption chiller was invented. It operates the same way as compression chillers. However, it is not powered by mechanical or electrical energy, but by sunlight driven energy. It is a type of air cooling device that is larger and more complicated but it works efficiently and effectively. The simplest type of the chiller is found in residential homes, called residential refrigerators. The machine has a gas flame in its bottom and ice cubes or chilled water on top.
In the simplest sense, the absorption chiller permits a home or office building to use heat or thermal collectors as the main power source for its air-conditioning. This heat-driven machine chills water up to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. With the chilled water in the copper pipes, air is efficiently cooled as it passes through the pipes. The system is considered passive because except for a few pumps, it requires no electrical input and has no moving parts.
Unlike conventional heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units that use gas-fired refrigerants (which emits toxic chlorofluorocarbon chemicals), the absorption chiller is water-driven. It makes use of either ammonia-water or lithium bromide-water system. In ammonia-water system, ammonia serves as the refrigerant while water serves as the absorber. Meanwhile, the lithium bromide-water system utilizes water as the refrigerant while lithium bromide is the absorber. The two systems are environmentally friendly and are non-toxic – very safe to human health.
Nowadays, absorption chillers are known to collect and utilize what is called ‘waste heat.’ This includes waste steam recovered from power plants and big boilers and the ultraviolet rays of the sun. This is very practical these days since we are troubled by the effects of global warming. Not only does it prevent further destruction of the ozone layer, it also cleanses the air. Indeed, it has an auto-cleanser that cleanses and maintains itself and the air. As an eco-friendly system, it operates quietly and free from vibration; as it is user-friendly, it requires low maintenance.
Because it is naturally driven, it avoids the demands of high electricity bills. Especially in hot seasons such as summer time when air conditioners are badly needed, absorption chillers work more efficiently than the other cooling prototypes. In these days, air conditioning units require and consume the most energy. If other appliances are to be used, the function of prototypes may be affected as they compete for power. But with absorption chillers, there is no competition over energy. Besides, with the extreme heat of the season, it is likely for the machine to function better. Further, as these chillers use water, they can be a good source for hot water. This means that there is no need to boil water, and no more water heaters – less time, less effort, and less demand for payment!
Such innovative machines are very commendable for residential and business use. It is a very good venture as it gives a fine return of investment.