diffusion-absorption: briefly explained

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Absorption in cooling units or heat pumps is the process of dissolving of a refrigerant vapor in a liquid. Mostly ammonia is dissolved in water. Absorption unit with auxiliary (inert) gas do not use a mechanical solution pump and are therefore noiseless and maintenancefree.

Heat pumps and cooling units are designed very similary: All units have a cold part (the evaporator) and warm parts during operation. Absorption units used for refrigeration are called cooling units, Those used for heating purposes are called heatpumps. The latter are somewhat more complex in design, the internal process however is the same as the one in cooling units.

The absorption process made simple:  

 

    2:     condenser:

The ammonia vapor is condensed and emits heat.

 

 

   3:     evaporator:

The liquid ammonia is evaporated and takes in heat from the ambient. The evaporator cools down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   1:    boiler:

Water-ammonia-solution is heated up. Ammonia vapor is driven off.

 

    4:     absorber:

The ammonia vapor is soluted in water and emits heat.