Enhancement aspects of single stage absorption cooling cycle: A detailed review

Multiple simulations, experiments, and review studies on absorption cooling technology and cycles were conducted over the past few decades. However, the absorption cooling systems are not seen as competitive against more established vapor compression systems. Therefore, further research and development (R&D) are needed to enable absorption cooling technology to compete with vapor compression technology via the development of energy efficient, cost effective, environmentally friendly, and compact size systems. This study reviews the R&D enhancement aspects of single-stage absorption cooling cycles in terms of subcomponents, supported components added to the absorption cycle, internal energy recovery, and working fluids options. The R&D efforts on single-stage absorption cycles are detailed in a rich and simple presentation to provide a base for further modifications in the future, i.e., towards the optimization of the design geometry of distillation column inside within the generator, towards using adjustable ejector to work under actual operating conditions, applying new streamlines re-arrangements as a passive heat recovery technique, combination of internal heat recovery and superior (non-conventional) working fluids, and finally the addition of nanoparticles into the working fluid to optimize the duty of the generator. The outcome(s) of this study are detailed in the lessons-learned section, and future research priorities are highlighted in conclusion section.