Modares Mechanical Engineering

Modares Mechanical Engineering

Thermoeconomic Analysis of a Single-Effect Ejector Lithium ‎Bromide/Water Absorption Refrigeration Cycle Based on Solar Energy‎

Authors
Hamid Reza Bahrami 1
Majid Siavashi 2
1 Qom University of Technology
2 Iran University of Science and Technology
10.48311/mme.2025.24024
Abstract
his study conducts an exergoeconomic analysis of a single-effect absorption chiller integrated with an ejector and ‎powered by solar energy, aiming to reduce production costs and enhance system efficiency. The novel ‎incorporation of the ejector – absent in prior research – targets improved performance and reduced operational ‎expenses. Analyses compare configurations with and without the ejector under steady-state conditions using ‎Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software. Results demonstrate that under identical conditions, the ejector-‎integrated cycle delivers the required cooling capacity at 50% lower cost (from 11.63$/h to 6.06$/h) and ‎approximately 50% reduced collector surface area (from 27.92 m² to 18.69 m²). The coefficient of performance ‎‎(COP) increases from 0.777 (base cycle) to 1.167 (ejector-enhanced cycle). Exergy analysis reveals the collector as ‎the primary site of exergy destruction (67.2% of total losses), attributable to inherent limitations and low efficiency ‎in solar thermal collection. Given the single-effect nature of the cycle, findings recommend operating the ejector-‎modified absorption system at lower generator temperatures (85–95°C) to optimize exergetic and economic ‎outcomes.‎
Keywords
Solar Energy
Absorption Cycle
Refrigeration
Exergy
Exergeoeconomics

Subjects

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Modares Mechanical Engineering
Volume 25, Issue 4
April 2025
Pages 203-213