An oil heater keeps the oil warm in the oil sump ofthe compressor during plant shutdown. If the oil is notkept heated, it absorbs large amounts of refrigerant. Thisresults in excessive oil foaming when the unit is started.The heaters in most plants are connected so that they areautomatically turned on when the compressor is off, andoff when the compressor is on..Figure 10-20 shows a centrifugal compressorair-conditioning unit. This particular plant has a 150-toncapacity and uses R-114 as the refrigerant. The gaugesand controls for the plant are on the other side of the unit.Lithium Bromide Absorption UnitWater is used as a refrigerant in the lithium bromideabsorption cycle. The absorption system differs from thecompression-type refrigeration machines. Theabsorption cycle uses heat energy instead of mechanicalenergy to cause the change in conditions necessary fora complete refrigeration cycle. In other words, thecompressor is replaced by steam heat.The following are the two principles that form thebasis for the lithium bromide absorption refrigerationcycle:1. Lithium bromide has the ability to absorb largequantities of water vapor.2. When under a high vacuum,(vaporizes) at a low temperature and,absorbs heat.water boilsin doing so,To understand the lithium bromide absorptioncycle, follow along on figure 10-21 during as you readthe following explanation. Notice that theEVAPORATOR and ABSORBER sections are in acommon shell. The sections are separated by therefrigerant tray and baffles. This shell is under a highvacuum of about 29.8 in.Hg. Water boils at 35°F (1.7°C)at this pressure. (Note that this is only 3°F above thefreezing point of water.) The refrigerant pumpcirculates the refrigerant (water) through the evaporator.The water is sprayed out over 88the chilled water tubesthrough a spray header. This causes the water tovaporize (or flash) more readily. As the water vaporizesaround the chilled water tubes, it removes heat from thecirculating chilled water. The water vapor is floatingabout in the evaporator/absorber shell. Now, theabsorber comes into play.Lithium bromide solution is sprayed out from aspray header in the absorber. The absorber pumpprovides the driving head for the spray. As the lithiumbromide solution is sprayed out, it absorbs the watervapor, which is in the shell from the evaporationprocess. As the lithium bromide absorbs more and morewater vapor, its ability to absorb decreases. This is47.217Figure 10-20.-R-114 centrifugal air-conditioning plant.10-22
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