Analysis of single stage steam generating absorption heat transformer

•Proposing two operating modes in terms of the way to deliver the heating source into the absorption heat transfer former.•Experimental analysis on steam generating absorption system for the operating characteristics with respect to the operating conditions.•First law-based theoretical analysis to support the experimental works.•Illuminating each equilibrium state in the proposed system in terms of the operating conditions. Absorption heat transformer (AHT) has played a role in producing available heat from the low temperature of waste heat sources. This study proposes two operating modes regarding the way to supply heat source to the AHT system, and aims to investigate the operating characteristics of the steam generating AHT system concerning heating source temperature. First, this study describes the thermodynamic cycle of the single stage AHT operating with water-lithium bromide pair, and two operating modes are illuminated: a forward flow mode for heat source input to the evaporator and then to the generator, and a reverse flow mode for heat source input to the generator and then to the evaporator. Second, the first law of theoretical simulation characterizes the effects of the different operating modes on the heat transfer rates of each AHT component, the coefficient of performance (COP), and the steam generation rate. The experimental studies validate the theoretical simulation models; consequently, the results obtained herein lay a foundation of further investigation for the thermodynamic characteristics of the steam generating AHT system to maximize the operating performance.