The Role of Surfactants in LiBr Absorption Units

While the LiBr solution is indeed the "lifeblood" of LiBr absorption chillers and heat pumps, its performance can be significantly enhanced by the addition of surfactants, such as isooctanol. These additives are specifically chosen to improve the heat and mass transfer characteristics within the system, resulting in better operational efficiency.

Benefits of Adding Isooctanol

1. Improved Absorption Efficiency:
   • By reducing the surface tension of the LiBr solution, isooctanol facilitates better interaction between the solution and water vapor.
   • This increases the contact area between the absorbent and the refrigerant, enhancing the absorption process.
   • The result is a more efficient absorption cycle, leading to improved cooling performance.
2. Enhanced Condensation Effect:
   • Isooctanol promotes bead condensation on the heat exchange surfaces, particularly on copper tubes.
   • Bead condensation (droplet formation) is significantly more effective in heat transfer compared to film condensation.
   • The heat transfer coefficient during bead condensation is approximately twice as high as that of film condensation, allowing the condenser to operate more efficiently.
3. Increased Cooling Capacity:
   • Experiments indicate that adding isooctanol to the LiBr solution can increase the cooling capacity of the chiller by 10% to 15%, making the system more effective at delivering cooling output.

Mechanism of Improvement

• Surface Tension Reduction:
  Isooctanol reduces the surface tension of the LiBr solution, leading to enhanced fluid dynamics on heat exchange surfaces.
• Better Wetting:
  The ability of isooctanol-laden vapor to spread and infiltrate copper surfaces ensures rapid heat exchange.
• Optimized Heat Transfer:
  Transitioning from film to bead condensation accelerates the heat transfer process, especially in high-demand scenarios.

Hope Deepblue's Expertise

With extensive experience in designing and optimizing LiBr absorption chillers and heat pumps, Hope Deepblue ensures the precise incorporation of surfactants like isooctanol to:

• Boost unit efficiency and cooling capacity.
• Reduce energy consumption while maintaining high performance.
• Provide reliable solutions for diverse applications.

This meticulous approach underscores Hope Deepblue's commitment to innovation and operational excellence in absorption technology.