Atomization and Sprays, Vol.15, No.4, 439-456, 2005
Design of spray absorbers for LiNO3-NH3 absorption refrigeration systems
In the present article, a numerical procedure is used to design spray absorbers, simulating the beat and mass transfer between solution drops and refrigerant vapor. The simulation procedure is applied for designing the absorption chambers of a double-stage refrigeration system using the lithium nitrate-ammonia solution. Results show that about 60% of the total mass transfer occurs during the drips' deceleration period. This period represents 13.4% and 11.6% of the drops' residence time inside the low- and high-pressure absorbers until they reach the equilibrium state, respectively. For the cases considered, the absorption chamber lengths are equal to 18.4 cm and 20.4 cm. The drops stay in the uniform movement zones approximately 86.1% and 88.3% of the residence time, respectively. Average mass transfer coefficients inside the absorbers are 1.86 x 10(-4) m/s and 2.35 x 10(-4) m/s in each case.