Characteristics of the membrane utilized in a compact absorber for lithium bromide–water absorption chillers

• Published in: International journal of refrigeration Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 1886 - 1896
• Main Authors: Ali, Ahmed Hamza H., Schwerdt, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absorber; Absorbeur; Absorption system; Applied sciences; Eau/bromure de lithium; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat transfer; Mass transfer; Membrane; Modelling; Modélisation; Refrigerating engineering; Refrigerating engineering. Cryogenics. Food conservation; Système à absorption; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Transfert de chaleur; Transfert de masse; Water/lithium bromide; Water/lithium bromide; Absorber; Système à absorption; Absorbeur; Eau/bromure de lithium; Mass transfer; Modélisation; Transfert de masse; Transfert de chaleur; Absorption system; Membrane; Modelling; Heat transfer; Water; Refrigeration installation; Chiller; Under vacuum; Lithium bromide; Compact design; Water vapor; Condensation; Modeling; Pressure; Thickness; Absorption; Aqueous solution
• ISSN: 0140-7007; 1879-2081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2009.07.009

This study aims at investigating experimentally and analytically the characteristics and properties of a membrane utilized to design compact absorbers for lithium bromide–water absorption chillers. The main focus of this study are the factors that influence the water vapor transfer flux into a lithium bromide–water solution in confined narrow channels under vacuum conditions, as well as the properties limits for utilization in compact absorber design. The results indicate that the desired membrane characteristics for this application are as follows: high permeability to water vapor, hydrophobic to the aqueous solution with high liquid entry pressure (LEP) to avoid wettability of the membrane pores and no capillary condensation of water vapor to avoid blocking of the pores. For practical use, this membrane should have a thin hydrophobic microporous active layer with a thickness up to 60 μm, mean pore sizes around 0.45 μm and a porosity of up to 80%. The active layer should be attached to a porous support layer to meet the mechanical strength requirements needed for practical use in the absorber of lithium bromide water absorption chillers application.