Experiments were conducted to determine the absorption rates of refrigerant vapour in an aqueous lithium bromide flat-fan sheet for use in absorption air-conditioning systems. The solution flow rates tested ranged from 0.023 to 0.054 kg/s (84-194 kg/h), with pressure losses in the injection nozzle of from 40 to 250 kPa. The effect of the mass flow rate on both solution residence time and the sheet deformation rate was also analyzed in absorption chambers of a pre-defined length, along with the effect of the sub-cooling temperature on the amount of vapour absorbed. The downstream evolution of approach to equilibrium factor F was quantified. The mass transfer coefficient values were found to be over 3 x 10(-4) m/s. In absorption chambers 100 mm long, over 0.8 g/s 1 of vapour were absorbed per chamber absorption volume. Moreover, about 600 g of vapour were absorbed per kJ of solution flow work. Flat-fan sheet configurations were found to perform better than failing film and spray absorbers. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.