Advantages and Applications of Gas Absorption Cooling
Natural gas absorption systems are available as stand-alone chillers or chiller/heaters. Sizes ranging from 5 to 1700 tons are readily available today. Like all cooling technologies featured in this site, multiple vendors offer standard packaged absorption systems, but larger and custom-designed systems to meet virtually any need are also available. Absorption cooling is particularly suitable to being packaged with a cogeneration system, which provides the heat needed to power the cooling system.
The quiet, vibration-free operation of absorption cooling makes it an ideal choice for hospitals, schools and office buildings. It’s simplicity of design assures high reliability and low maintenance, making it an excellent option for critical cooling needs.
You can estimate a likely payback period based on the natural gas and electric rates in your area using the Payback Calculator.
Many businesses are already proving that natural gas absorption cooling is economical, efficient and good for the environment. The following case studies demonstrate what happens when gas technologies are applied to real-world situations.Absorption cooling offers these important advantages:
- Lower operating costs and higher efficiency
- Eliminates environmentally harmful CFCs
- Safe, quite operation
- Reliable. low maintenance
- Smaller footprint than an electric chiller with boiler
- Effective for heat recovery applications
- Initial costs quickly offset by energy savings
U.S. Coast Guard
To avoid costly electrical upgrades, Robur cooling became the natural choice for this US Coast Guard application. The facility utilizes four, Robur Model ACF60-TK, five ton Chillers, piped in parallel as a 20 ton central cooling systemand The Robur Direct Digital Controller (DDC) to control the units at their facility.
Northeast Electronics Corp. – Milford, CT video testimonial
An interview with the operation’s manager of the facility who explains the advantages of selecting ROBUR Heat Pumps & Chillers for their manufacturing facility. Northeast Electronics in Milford, CT installed Robur Gas Absorption Heat Pumps (Model GAHP-AR) and Chillers (Model ACF60-TK) for heating and cooling their facility.
Kings Harbor Multicare Center – Bronx, NY video testimonial
An interview with the administrator of the facility outlines the main advantages for selecting ROBUR Chiller-heaters including: very low noise – they do not disturb the patient population; extremely low electricity consumption – saving up to 87% of electricity compared to a traditional electric compressor systems, no additional energy, no modification of the electrical service; and Gas Absorption is a green technology – using gas as its primary energy source instead of electricity.
The following case studies require Adobe® Acrobat® Reader which is available here.
Four Times Square – New York, NY
Creating an environmentally compatible “green” building meant reducing the use of energy resources. Owner/operator Durst Corp. gave direct-fired, two-stage gas absorption chillers the green light.
Natural gas saves money and the environment – Anoka-Hennepin School District, MN
School district cools schools and eliminates chemical refrigerants with direct-fired absorption chillers.
Central Plant Serves 12-Building Complex – DuPage County Governmental Complex, IL
Flexibility is the hallmark of this central plant and chilled water distribution system. Dual fuel boilers provide steam to absorption chiller as it shares base load and peaking duties with electric centrifugal chiller plant.
Chicago High-Rise Property Selects Hybrid Plant for Chiller Replacement
Combination chiller plant improves negotiating position with energy suppliers for building owners and improves comfort for tenants.
Renovated College Central Plant Creates Opportunities for Energy Research
Combination of absorption and engine driven chillers with low condensing water requirement allows university to continue using its existing water supply pipeline after energy plant upgrade
Steam Heats, Cools, Provides Electricity at Pioneering Vermont College – Middlebury College, VT
Backpressure steam-turbine generators along with single-stage absorption chillers maximize college’s use of steam plant.
Pasadena Corporate Center Chooses Direct-Fired Absorption
Integrating separate chiller plants with electric centrifugal and absorption chillers provides flexibility with changing conditions of load, weather and economics.
Pierce College Faces Comfort Challenge – Los Angeles, CA
With temperatures reaching 108o, air conditioning is essential to foster a productive learning environment. A hybrid chiller plant with natural gas absorption and electric centrifugal chillers answered the need on a sprawling and growing campus.
South Jersey Healthcare – Bridgeton, NJ
Noise can be a problem in a hospital environment. So can high and fluctuating energy costs. A new hybrid chiller system cured both problems at South Jersey Healthcare.
College Chooses Hybrid Chiller Approach For Flexibility, Optimum Rates – Texas LutheranUniversity – Sequin, TX
University officials felt a hybrid chiller system would help them negotiate better prices from both their gas and electric utilities.
Building boasts a one-of-a-kind tri-fuel plant that uses electric-, steam- and natural gas-powered chillers to meet increased cooling demands and achieve substantial savings in energy costs.
Savings with natural gas help speed payback — Unity Hospital Fridley, MN
Using natural gas for cooling qualifies hospital for an electric load management program, which significantly lowers their summer electric costs.