Performance assessment of multistage absorption cycles

The performance potential of 11 multistage, multi-effect absorption cycles is evaluated. They include water-lithium bromide, ammonia-water and cascade configurations. All evaluations are based on air-conditioning applications assuming a 4 degrees C evaporator temperature and a 35 degrees C condenser and absorber temperature. The sensitivity of the performance to the approach temperature in the heat exchanger was studied. Eight cycles were selected for a more detailed simulation. The highest COP at zero approach temperature was obtained for a three-stage water-lithium bromide cycle cascaded with two single-stage ammonia water cycles, while for approach temperatures of 5 K the best COP was obtained for the three-stage water-lithium bromide cycle.