Performance of diffusion absorption refrigerators at variable power input

Abstract Absorption refrigerators have been used in recent decades for utilization of waste or solar energy to produce heat or cold for industrial purposes or to condition the microclimate in buildings. Although these units are designed at nominal power input in the generator, they can also operate at variable parameters of the heat source, which is possible in the real situations. An experimental determination of the operating range and the performance of a diffusion absorption refrigerator at heat pump and refrigeration mode were carried out in the present study. The results are useful for predicting the efficiency and the effectiveness of such systems at variable heat source capacities.