Subfreezing Absorption Refrigeration for Industrial CHP

The design and operation of an advanced absorption refrigeration unit (Thermochiller) as part of an industrial combined heat and power (CHP) system is presented. The unit is installed at a vegetable processing plant in Santa Maria, California. The overall integrated system includes the engine package with waste heat recovery, Thermochiller, cooling tower, and chilling load interface. The unique feature of the system is that both the exhaust and jacket heat are used to supply subfreezing refrigeration. To achieve the low refrigeration temperatures of interest to industrial applications, all components of this integrated system needed careful consideration and optimization. The CHP system has a low emission natural gas-fired 633kW reciprocating engine cogeneration package. Both the exhaust heat and jacket heat are recovered and delivered via a hot glycol loop with 105∘C supply temperature and 80∘C return. The 125 ton ammonia absorption chiller (TC125) chills propylene glycol to −6∘C and has a coefficient of...