Multi-objective optimization of double effect series and parallel flow water–lithium chloride and water–lithium bromide absorption refrigeration systems

Abstract

Abstract In this study, multi-objective optimization of the series and parallel flow type double effect absorption refrigeration systems is presented. Genetic algorithm is used to find the optimal solutions and the Pareto-optimal fronts. First, a thermodynamic model is developed to simulate the double effect series and parallel flow configurations with water–lithium chloride and water–lithium bromide solution pairs. Energy and exergy balances are applied to evaluate coefficient of performance, exergy efficiency and irreversible losses in the system components separately for the two working fluid pairs. Next, optimization is done considering coefficient of performance, exergy efficiency and the total system irreversibility rate as objective functions. The low and high pressure generator temperatures are taken as decision variables in the series configuration while for the parallel system; additionally the distribution ratio is also taken as a decision parameter. The optimization is done for four different cases of fixed evaporator, absorber and condenser temperatures. For each case, the optimal decision parameter values are determined for both the water–lithium chloride and water–lithium bromide operated double effect series and parallel configurations. The optimized coefficients of performance were found slightly lower for water–lithium chloride. Contrary to this, the optimal exergy efficiencies were more and the total system irreversibility were less for water–lithium chloride. Further, the optimal performances of the double effect water–lithium chloride systems were obtained comparatively at lower generator temperatures than those of the water–lithium bromide systems.