The technical feasibility of two sorption systems used for heat recovery in conventional heating appliances has been investigated. A brief overview of knowledge on sorbents, sorption systems and fuel combustion processes is provided. An absorption system is presented and its suitability for heat recovery in this application has been analysed. Analyses of the effect of fuel type on heat recovery indicated that heating appliances fired by natural gas would result in more energy being recovered from the flue gas, and hence provide higher recovery efficiency. A simple payback period analysis showed that sorption systems would have advantages over condensing heat recovery systems in terms of their economic benefits.
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