Rapidly escalating electrical rates.
Peak demand charges.
Refrigerant restrictions and compliance.
Environmental responsibility.
For those concerned about all of these issues - and
who isn't today - absorption provides a viable alternative to
the traditional electric chiller.
Cost Effective and Environmentally Responsible.
Absorption chillers not only deliver efficient, continuous
cooling with minimal use of electricity, they also use water as
the refrigerant, not the fluorocarbon refrigerants used by mechanical
vapor compression chillers. Yet, they can be used in the same
wide range of settings - hospitals, schools, libraries, retail
facilities, office buildings, industrial processing, and more.
Heat-Driven Cycle.
The basic absorption cycle, while similar to vapor
compression in that both employ an evaporator to vaporize refrigerant
and a condenser to return the refrigerant to its liquid state,
does differ in its method of "compression." Absorption
utilizes a thermal or chemical process which takes
place in the absorber and generator section of the chiller. In
the absorber, a lithium bromide solution absorbs low-pressure
refrigerant water vapor produced in the evaporator. Operation
in a deep vacuum causes the water to evaporate at low temperature,
providing the refrigeration effect necessary to produce chilled
water. The now diluted lithium bromide solution is pumped to the
generator where heat is added to boil off the refrigerant, supplying
vapor to the condenser. Refrigerant liquid returns to the evaporator
while reconcentrated solution returns to the absorber to complete
the cycle. Depending on configuration, reconcentration can occur
in one or more stages.
A Money-Saving Alternative Energy Choice.
Absorption eliminates high electric costs and demand/ratchet
charges because it uses economical natural gas, steam, hot water
or various forms of waste heat as an energy source.
A life-cycle cost analysis, which considers purchase,
installation, maintenance, and operating costs, often shows that
absorption chillers are less expensive to own than electric chillers.
What's more, because they fall under the "gas cooling"
classification, absorption chillers typically qualify for utility
rebates and incentives in many areas of the country - either to
help reduce peak consumption of electric power, or in an effort
to utilize abundant natural gas reserves in summer months.
Quiet, Reliable, and Easy to Maintain.
Relatively few moving parts make absorption chillers
inherently reliable and less subject to mechanical failure than
vapor compression chillers. You'll save time and money on service
and inspection. Low sound and vibration levels allow installation
close to occupied spaces, even on upper floors, without compromising
occupant comfort.
Carrier Sets the Standard Again.
Over half a century ago, Carrier Corporation began
intensive research and development efforts on the absorption-cooling
cycle that led to the first commercially manufactured units for
large tonnage applications. Today, Carrier continues to lead the
way with a variety of absorption chiller products and ongoing
development of existing and new products.
Economical Natural Gas.
The characteristics of the Carrier 16DF direct-fired
chiller/heater are similar to those of the 16JT double-effect,
with one major exception. The (direct) firing of natural gas within
the combustion chamber acts as the heat source, rather than supplying
steam to the generator from an external source. Direct-fired absorption
has become the product of choice for many due to the comparatively
low cost and plentiful supply of natural gas. As such, the 16DF
is the perfect choice to serve the growing direct-fired market
with its superior reliability and cost-effective, quiet operation.
Environmentally Preferred.
Clean-burning natural gas in not only typically less
expensive than electricity, but it's very efficient as well. When
considered along with the CFC-free benefits of absorption, it's
the intelligent alternative to meet today's environmental challenges.
A Year-Round Advantage.
Available from 135- to 1000-tons nominal capacity,
the 16DF earns its keep year-round. In addition to operating as
a conventional water chiller, it can also provide hot water. In
many cases, installation of a Carrier 16DF absorption chiller/heater
allows you to reduce the size of a boiler, or maybe even eliminate
it.
16DF Features | Benefits |
Automatic Concentration Control System | Prevents crystallization by taking corrective action prior to an overconcentration condition developing. Allows operation at reduced cooling water temperatures. |
Hermetic, Self-Contained Pumps | Eliminates need for external cooling and lubrication. Exceptional reliability with recommended inspection interval of 50,000 to 60,000 hours of operation. |
Motorless Purge System | Continuously removes non-condensibles during unit operation. Noncondensibles stored externally. |
Palladium Cell | Continuously removes hydrogen from inside the machine. |
Non-Clogging Spray Heads | Uniform spray distribution enhances heat transfer and efficiency. Corrosion-proof material. |
Waterboxes | Allows easy access for tubeside cleaning and maintenance. |
Epoxy-Coated Waterboxes | Protects tubesheet and waterbox from corrosion damage. |
ANSI Flanged Waterbox Nozzles | Provides easy connection to system piping. |
59F Cooling Water Temperature | Allows operation down to 59F without need for tower bypass. |
Heating Operation | Provides hot water for space heating or other purposes. |
Microprocessor Controls | Provides state-of-the-art chiller control, monitoring, and diagnostics. |
Low Noise/Vibration Level | Typical 80 dBA sound level allows installation near occupied spaces. |