The continuing worldwide rise in energy costs is causing increased emphasis on. the design of energy-efficient air-conditioning systems for both industrial and comfort air conditioning applications. Liquid sorbent air-conditioning equipment has unique performance and energy utilization characteristics not attainable by other equipment; these characteristics can be integrated with overall air system design concepts to effect substantial savings in both system first costs and system operating costs.

This paper outlines both the theoretical concepts of energy-savings using liquid sorbent air-conditioning and some actual installations using these concepts. Topics discussed include: The impact of heating and cooling temperature levels on system energy consumption; the application of cogeneration techniques to liquid sorbent equipment; energy implications of separation of latent load; use of waste and low temperature heat to efficiently perform useful work; and cost-effective application of solar energy.