An absorption chiller in a micro BCHP application: Model-based design and performance analysis

Developments in absorption cooling technology present an opportunity to achieve significant improvements in microscale building cooling, heating, and power (BCHP) systems for residential and light commercial buildings that are effective, energy efficient, and economic. However, model based design and performance analysis methods for micro scale absorption chillers and their applications have not been fully developed; particularly considering that thermal energy from a wide variety of sources might be used to drive the chiller in a residential or light commercial building. This thesis contributes important knowledge and methods for designing and integrating absorption chillers in BCHP systems that reduce energy consumption, decrease operational costs, and improve environmental benefits in residential and light commercial buildings.; To be more specific, this thesis contributes the development and application of absorption chiller and the computational model in the following areas: (1) establishment of a unique experimental environment and procedures for absorption chiller tests under various conditions; (2) conduct of a comprehensive testing program on a microscale absorption chiller; (3) construction of a comprehensive chiller model based on the pertinent scientific and engineering principles adapted to the design of a chiller and to the analysis of extensive, detailed test data obtained from the test program; (4) analysis of the measured data, refinement of the model, and improvement of the chiller design on the basis of the data analysis process. The model is now being used as a tool to adapt the chiller to various heat sources and sinks and to carry out performance simulations of micro BCHP system.