Heat recovery system to power an onboard NH3-H2O absorption refrigeration plant in trawler chiller fishing vessels

This paper is concerned with the design, modelling and parametric analysis of a gas-to-thermal fluid heat recovery system from engine exhausts in a trawler chiller fishing vessel to power an NH₃-H₂O absorption refrigeration plant for onboard cooling production. Synthetic oil was used as heat transfer fluid and recirculated. The major components of the system are fluid-to-solution and gas-to-fluid heat exchangers. Both heat exchangers and the complete system have been modelled. Models are implemented in several computer programs. These models have been used to study the influence of geometric design parameters and thermal operating conditions on heat exchangers and system thermal performance. The analysis of the results allowed us to find the optimum thermal operating conditions that minimise total heat transfer area. Optimal design based on real data was performed and the operating function of exhaust gases by-pass control was obtained and is presented.