This article presents finite time thermodynamic analysis of a real vapour absorption refrigeration system taking into account both external as well as internal irreversibility. The complete VAR model is assumed to be consisting of two sub-systems. One sub-system (generator-absorber assembly) is assumed as an irreversible heat engine cycle whereas another sub-system (evaporator-condenser assembly) is assumed as an irreversible refrigeration cycle. This study analyzes the effect of presence of heat leak on performance of irreversible (real) vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) system. This is achieved by adding a heat leakage term into an irreversible model of VAR system. Overall coefficient of performance (COP) of the VAR system is optimized with respect to source/sink side heat exchanger areas using Langrangian multiplier method. Furthermore, the effects of the variations in the cycle parameters on performance deviation of the VAR system are compared with and without heat leak. Results show that effect of rate of heat leak is significant along with the other irreversibilities variations on performance deviation of the VAR system.
Thermodynamic analysis of an absorption refrigeration system used to cool down the intake air in an Internal Combustion Engine
