Feasibility studies on alternative aqueous salt mixture in vapour absorption cooling P.S. Arshi Banu ⇑ , Seralathan Sivamani, T. Micha Premkumar, Gnanadurai Ravikumar Solomon Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Padur 603103, India article info Article history: Received 30 May 2020 Received in revised form 8 July 2020 Accepted 10 July 2020 Available online xxxx Keywords: Thermodynamic analysis Solar Air-cooled Refrigerant-absorbent Vapour absorption Cooling abstract Current years, the research is based on renewable energy resources, especially solar-based applications, due to its promising energy resource. Vapour absorption refrigeration system widely accepted as an envi- ronmentally friendly, prospective innovation for the economic and efficient use of solar heat for refriger- ation purposes. The extensive search for coolant-absorbing varieties is underway that can be made to operate at a solar energy temperature range. However, Thermodynamic analysis shall check the compat- ibility of a coolant-absorbing mixture for a particular operation. Detailed thermodynamic analysis of H 2 O-(LiBr + LiI + LiNO 3 + LiCl) cooling systems with a single-effect and a capacity of one ton is carried out in the current work. It also established the sustainability of systems for solar and air-cooled applica- tions. A thermodynamic evaluation was conducted based on all aspects of the device that are conserved in mass, concentration, and energy. The impacts on output parameters of the working variables are explored through performance plots. Possible temperature variations are defined for optimum system operation. Generator temperature range represents the suitability of the system for solar thermal appli- cations. Absorber/ Condenser temperature range shows the suitability of the system for air-cooled appli- cations to carry away rejected heat. It shows the possibility of reduction in size and cost of the system. It has been found that H 2 O-(LiBr + LiI + LiNO 3 + LiCl) COP is nearly 9% more than the H 2 O-LiBr system in every operating temperature. The alternative salt mixture is best adapted for solar and air-cooled vapour absorption systems with higher COPs. Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Confer- ence on Future Generation Functional Materials and Research 2020. 1. Introduction Vapor absorption systems can work on Solar based heat energy, and working fluid couples used in processes are products without ODP. In terms of energy and environmental issues, this system is more attractive. Despite the above advantages, The method of vapor absorption is less effective than the vapour compression sys- tem. The improvement of absorption system performances is, therefore, currently the highest research priority. To enhance the absorption systems output, the selection of an appropriate working fluid combination is essential. Thermodynamic analysis is an essential method for forecasting the efficiency of any absorption device. Thermodynamic analysis was employed to determine whether work fluids are suited for a particular application of tem- perature ranges [1]. In vapor absorption systems reviews, innumerable coolant- absorbent combinations are available. The refrigerant-absorber combinations of H 2 O-LiBr and NH 3 -H 2 O are extensive. ‘‘Thermo- physical studies of H 2 O-LiBr show that the two superior character- istics are non-volatility of LiBr (absorbent) and very high vaporiza- tion temperature of water (refrigerant), making it ideal for vapor absorption systems. The H 2 O-LiBr system is relatively less compli- cated, more COP-intensive, and operating pressures are lower than NH 3 -H 2 O systems” [2]. These are also environmentally friendly, odourless, non-toxic, and non-flammable. Yet, it has some draw- backs, such as crystallization. The solvent is crystallized at high concentrations. ‘‘One way to improve the solubility characteristics of H 2 O-LiBr is by adding extra salts that remove the crystallization limit from the normal operating zone” [3]. In combination with H 2 O, many salt blends were tried to overcome these inconveniences. Salt mixing studies consist mainly of comparative analysis in the literature. Some of the researchers conducted comparative https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.07.208 2214-7853/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Future Generation Functional Materials and Research 2020. ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail address: psarshib@hindustanuniv.ac.in (P.S. Arshi Banu). Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Materials Today: Proceedings journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/matpr Please cite this article as: P. S. Arshi Banu, S. Sivamani, T. Micha Premkumar et al., Feasibility studies on alternative aqueous salt mixture in vapour absorp- tion cooling, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.07.208