Absorption Refrigeration Technology

Instead of electricity, Absorption refrigeration uses a heat source to make energy, which drives the cooling system.   It is standard on many larger R.V models.  The refrigerators are a great alternative to the regular compressor, and can go anyplace where electricity is not readily available.  Absorption refrigerators are also quiet and less expensive to operate.

Both types of refrigerators have a low boiling point of less than 0°F and when the refrigerant boils, or evaporates, the heat is removed resulting in a cooling effect.  The differences are that an absorption refrigerator changes the gas back into a liquid using only heat plus an ammonia refrigerant and has no moving parts, while a compressor refrigerator has multiple moving parts and uses an HCFC or HFC refrigerant.

An absorption refrigerator uses the ammonia as a coolant, then uses water, hydrogen gas and ammonia to create a continuum for the ammonia coolant.  There are five main parts of the refrigerator and each has a specific purpose.

1.      Generator - The generator produces ammonia gas

2.      Separator -  The separator separates the ammonia gas from water

3.      Condenser - Where the boiling ammonia gas is cooled down and condensed to make liquid ammonia

4.      Evaporator - The liquid gas is evaporated, creating the cold temperatures inside the refrigerator.

5.      Absorber - The ammonia gas is absorbed into water.