Thermal and Absorbing Performance in a Vertical Absorber

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the absorbing characteristics in a vertical falling film type absorber using LiBr-H$H_2O$ solution as working fluids with the concentration of 60 wt%. The experimental apparatus consists of an absorber with the diameter of 17.2 mm and the length of 1150 mm, a generator, an evaporator (condenser), a weak solution tank and a sampling trap device and so on. The parameters were the solution temperatures of 45 and 50$^{\circ}$C, coolant temperatures of 30 and 35$^{\circ}$C, and the film Reynolds numbers from 50 to 150. The pressure drop in the absorber increased as the solution and coolant temperatures decreased. The pressure drop in the absorber increased up to the film Reynolds number of 90, however, decreased at the film Reynolds number above 90. The maximum absorption mass flux was observed at the film Reynolds number of 90. Absorption mass fluxes increased as the coolant temperature decreased. Accordingly, absorption mass fluxes and heat transfer coefficients under the subcooled condition increased more than those under the superheated condition. It is claimed that heat transfer coefficients are deeply affected by the solution temperature more than the coolant temperature within the experimental range.