Development and experimental validation of a simulation model to reproduce the performance of a 17.6 kW LiBr–water absorption chiller

In recent years, the use of air conditioning systems based on cycles driven by thermal energy has increased. These cycles utilize renewable energy or waste heat energy from industrial processes. However, the complexity associated with such facilities makes the simulation of these systems with regard to sizing and performance advisable in many cases. This paper develops a simulation model under the EES environment for a 17.6 kW Yazaki WFC-SC5 simple effect LiBr–H2O absorption chiller. In this study, the heat transfer areas and coefficients of each heat exchanger, the circulating solution flow rate and the properties of the LiBr–H2O solution have been considered. Once the model is created, real data are used to validate the obtained results, providing a high level of correlation between real and simulated data. •A model of a 17.6 kW LiBr–water absorption chiller has been developed.•Mass and energy transfer equations are included in the model.•A procedure to obtain UA of the heat exchangers has been developed.•The model has been validated with experimental data.