Absorption chillers have been around for some time, but the true potential of the technology is just now coming to light for manufacturing plants around the world. Most absorption chillers use a type of technology known as co-generation.
Co-generation is enabling the by-product of creating one type of energy to transform into a new form of energy itself. For example, the heat used to create electricity is then captured and used to heat water in the winter or to cool water for air conditioning in the summer. Heat is transformed into cool with the use of an absorption chiller.
Absorption chiller manufacturers can benefit from co-generation technology by creating co-generation compatible chillers. Many companies already have created chillers with this capability, as more and more large factories, and even entire cities, strive to find new ways to go green.
Using a co-generation system is not only more energy-efficient and green than wasting the heat from electricity generation, but it is also cost-effective for companies as well. Typically, a water heater would have to create its own energy, or a chiller would have to use a separate energy source for creating chilled air. In co-generation, the same energy is used twice, which can potentially half any energy requirements of a factory or any other commercial building.
Absorption chillers are an alternative to standard, electric chillers and work similarly to air conditioning systems. Instead of using electricity as power, these chiller systems run off heat. They are used when electric power conditions are poor, and they significantly reduce electricity costs associated with cooling, since they do not use a gas compressor. However, absorption chillers do require greater pump energy than electric chillers.
Even some households now use a co-generation system to eliminate energy waste. Construction companies around the world are utilizing the technology of co-generation and absorption chilling to reduce utility expenses and save energy in a variety of ways without implementing complicated systems. In today’s world of energy savings, absorption chilling is a simple way to save energy and money on a small or large scale.