Heat and mass transfer in vertical tubular bubble absorbers for ammonia-water absorption refrigeration systems

A model is developed for calculation of simultaneous heat and mass transfer processes in vertical bubble absorbers as used for ammonia-water absorption refrigeration systems. Some preliminary experiments have been performed in an absorber without heat removal. The results from these experiments are compared with the literature and give a first indication about the methods for prediction of the absorption process. Experiments have also been performed with simultaneous heat removal. The internal diameters of the absorbers tested were 10.0, 15.3, and 20.5 mm. The mass transfer coefficients resulting from these experiments are correlated by a modified Sherwood relation. An interative procedure is presented which allows design of vertical tubular bubble absorbers for ammonia-water absorption refrigeration systems.