LAUSR

ABSTRACT Heat-based refrigeration in the form of absorption refrigeration can be combined efficiently with the vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) system. Exergy-based optimization of the combination results in maximum benefit from such a combination. A double-effect parallel flow LiBr–H2O absorption cycle is combined with a vapour compression cycle with ammonia as the working fluid. The performance of this system was simulated and optimized using the principle of exergy. Results show that the exergy-optimized combined VAR–VCR system is more energy efficient and hence cost effective than a single classical VCR system.