Preliminary Testing and Design of a Centrifugal Absorption Heat Pump

A centrifugal absorption heat pump is described in this study. Generation of absorption solutions is carried out in a centrifuge, which may be driven electrically or by a wind turbine. The environmentally benign absorption solutions may be employed as working fluids. The system may be considered as a potential alternative to conventional compression systems. A preliminary testing with common aqueous salt absorption solutions has been carried out on an ultracentrifuge. The results show that the sedimentation centrifuge is not suitable for the studied system; whereas, the use of filtration centrifuge appears a better choice. The use of continuous filtration centrifuges has been investigated. For the purpose of practicability, low latent heat refrigerant-based absorption solutions would be desirable to overcome the challenge associated with high rotation speed and high operating osmotic pressure.