Laboratory evaluation of the steady-state and part load performance of absorption type heating and cooling equipment

An absorption water chiller and an absorption heat pump were extensively tested under steady state and cyclic operating conditions. Since the tests were performed on two different units, one for a cooling only and one for a heating only application, the results of the testing of each unit are reported separately. In addition to the black box tests of these units, the causes for the degradation during part load operation were investigated in more detail using the absorption chiller. The migration of fluids during the off periods were found to be a major contribution to the degradation. The influence of heating water temperatures, flow rates, and sensitivity of the charge on steady state performance was investigated employing the heat pump.