Analysis of integrated compression–absorption refrigeration systems powered by a microturbine

This paper analyses various configurations of integrated refrigeration system consists of a compression chiller and an absorption chiller that powered by a microturbine to generate cooling at low temperatures. The compression chiller is operated directly by the microturbine at the low temperature stage and the waste heat from the microturbine is used to drive the absorption chiller that operates at the high temperature stage and helps to the compression chiller performance. The thermodynamic system is analyzed, based on the mass and energy equations. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the use of these configurations of integrated refrigeration system is more efficient and mostly less energy consuming than the system without absorption chiller. The best configuration to save energy is the system that uses two stage compression chiller with an intercooler between two compressors and a subcooler at condenser outlet.