Absorption heat pump studies conducted in recent years have made increasing use of different simulation techniques for predicting performance of advanced cycles. In complex, multi-stage systems, the calculations are quite lengthy, and in the published literature, a cycle performance is often characterised by no more than a single point. This study has employed a modular computer code designed to simulate absorption systems in a flexible form, making it possible to predict their performance in varying cycle configurations with different working fluids. This code has been employed to investigate the performance of various system using the water-lithium bromide fluid pair. Complete performance maps under varying operating conditions have been generated for systems in single-stage and several double-stage configurations. The performance has been compared over the entire temperature domain applicable to the cycle. The thermodynamic potential of water-LiBr has been studied and compared to that of other absorption fluid pairs.

KEYWORDS: absorption heat pumps, water, lithium bromide, performance, calculating, computers, maps, comparing, temperature, fluids.