Absorption Refrigeration Systems Based on Ammonia as Refrigerant Using Different Absorbents: Review and Applications

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Please see the attached file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Absorption refrigeration systems based on ammonia as refrigerant using different absorbents: review and applications

Editor.

Firstly, we would like to thank the reviewers and the editor for their helpful comments on the manuscript. We believe that we have done everything that we have been asked to do. We have sought to give clear and objective replies.

Reviewer #1: The manuscript presents the state of the art of absorption refrigeration systems based on ammonia/absorbent, some of the most relevant studies in the area being critically analyzed. The topic is of interest for journal’s readers, but the manuscript needs to be improved on accuracy, suitability, and clarity.

1. Even if the authors present the results from the analyzed articles, the same unit for temperature (K or ^oC) and pressure (bar or kPa) should be used throughout the manuscript.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. This correction was made along the whole text, specifically, in subsection 3.1., 3.2. We decide to choose the next units, °C and kPa.

2. The manuscript should be reorganized for a better understanding. Sections 4 and 9 are too long and they should be divided in subsections.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. New subsections were added to make the reading more comfortable and clearer. In section 4, the subsections 4.1., 4.2., and 4.3 were added:

4. Evaluation study of ammonia/absorbents systems (Line 281)

4.1. Experimental assessment on absorption chiller (line 304);

4.2. Theoretical and numerical assessment on absorption chiller (line 377);

4.3. Miscellaneous assessment on absorption chiller (line 470).

In section 8 (before it was 9), the subsections 8.1., 8.2., and 8.2 were added;

8. Final considerations on the absorption refrigeration systems (NH3/Absorbents) – (Line 989);

8.1. Critical discussion of the results raised in this estate-of-the-art on the NH3/Absorbents Absorption Chillers (Line 1005);

8.2. Profiles of the COP values of the NH3/Absorbents (Line 1082).

3. Section 9 analyzes the performance of single/double/triple-effect systems and advanced cycles but no mention is found in section Conclusions.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The conclusion section was rewritten with a better understanding. A topic of that was added in line 1205 at the conclusion section.

4. A nomenclature should be added to Table 9 and eq (1) “T1”, “T6” and “T15” in figure 11 should be defined

A: This has been corrected, as requested. A nomenclature section was added at the end of the manuscript. Figure 11 was deleted and changed by the one made by the authors to easy to understanding, at line 600.

5. A legend should be provided with figures 5, 6, 7 or the numbers used in figures should be removed.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The numbers were removed and the variables were included in the nomenclature section.

6. Wrong caption was used in fig 14

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The legend for the figure 14 was change to: Figure 14. Schematic Partial-Load Test circuit apparatus used to assess the absorption chiller (Line 851)

7. Section 9 Final considerations on the absorption refrigeration systems (NH3/Absorbents) is wrong numbered.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. It should be section number 8 (Line 901).

8. References need to follow journal format. Just a few examples:

- Line 172 … started with the work presented by Davis et al. [37]

- Line 179 The work presented by Infante-Ferreira [12] …

- Line 364 The work presented in Liang et al. [72] …

A: This has been corrected, as requested. Those modifications were made along the whole text, and also in Tables 2 (Line 252) and 3 (Line 277).

9. The authors have to carefully proofread the manuscript in order to improve the language:

9.1. Lines 357-358 “In work carried out by Ventas et al. [71], a hybrid refrigeration system with a different system configuration was analyzed by Ayala et al. [61,62].”

9.2. Line 692 “From the studies presented it, it is evident …”

9.3. Lines 1007-1008 “Even better when these processes are performed in plate heat exchangers, due to the size, lower cost, ease of installation”

A: A significant revision of the manuscript have been carried out to improve language use.

10. It is obvious that in Line 279 and line 797 references are missing: Erro! Fonte de referência não encontrada. Shows.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The correction was made by substitute the reference for the table 5 (Line 338).

11. Has a formal agreement been obtained for reproduction of artwork?

A: We had to request permission to publish the figures that were cited and/or adapted. So far, we have obtained permissions for the following figures and tables: Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 13 and Table 6. For the other figures (Figures 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15), the permission would take around 15 working days, and, therefore, we decided to make our own figures in order to avoid delaying the reviewing process. We can adapt our manuscript with the new figures without losing the context of the text.

Reviewer #2:

1. The abstract section needs more clarification and motivation for the work. Authors can give more emphasis on applications and future recommendations.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The abstract was remade taking into account the indication and suggestions made by the reviewer (Line 21). The new abstract has the goal, methodology, motivation, results found in the literature, and also, future recommendations to study for this matter.

2. Figs. 1-2 should be organized.

A: Figure 1 and Figure 2 were organized, as it seen in lines 141 and 167.

3. Author should mention researchers name in Tables 2-3.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The correct form to cited the authors were made in tables 2 and 3 (Lines 252, 277)

4. The introduction and literature review parts need to be extended, therefore reviewing more recent literature (2019-2020) are recommended.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. Several works were include considering the years of 2019 to 2021. The introduction section was improved and also, other studies were included to closure the understanding along the text of the manuscript.

The modifications in the introduction were:

Lines 73-85; Lines 78-85; Lines 96-98; Lines 109-112;

[4]       Matjanov E. Gas turbine efficiency enhancement using absorption chiller. Case study for Tashkent CHP. Energy 2020;192:116625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116625.

[6]       Da Marques AS, Carvalho M, Ochoa ÁAV, Souza RJ, dos Santos CAC. Exergoeconomic assessment of a compact electricity-cooling cogeneration unit. Energies 2020;13. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13205417.

[8]       Butt IB, Tan J, Waqas A, Ali M, Javed A, Ali AY. Effect of modified flow schemes of heat transfer fluid on the performance of a solar absorption-cooling system for an educational building in Pakistan. Appl Sci 2020;10:1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093327.

[14]     Martínez PJ, Martínez P, Soto VM, Bujedo LA, Rodriguez J. Design of a 35 kW solar cooling demonstration facility for a hotel in spain. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10020496.;

[13]     Calise F, Cappiello FL, D’Accadia MD, Libertini L, Vicidomini M. Dynamic simulation and thermoeconomic analysis of a trigeneration system in a hospital application. Energies 2020;13:1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143558

[17]     Albers J. Improved solar operation control for a solar cooling system of an IT center. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/APP10103354.

mediterranean climate. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072418.

[15]     Ren J, Qian Z, Yao Z, Gan N, Zhang Y. Thermodynamic Evaluation of LiCl-H 2 O and 2019.

[16]     Tahmasebzadehbaie M, Najafi Nobar S, Derahaki M. Thermodynamic analysis of the NGL plant in a sample gas refinery and problem solving by designing an absorption chiller. Appl Therm Eng 2019;159:113963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.113963.

[35]     Ayou DS, Coronas A. applied sciences New Developments and Progress in Absorption Chillers for Solar Cooling Applications. 2020.

References added and discussed in section 5:

[98]     Chandrasekaran S, Hughes M, Kini G, Garimella S. A microchannel shell-and-tube absorber for ammonia-water absorption. Appl Therm Eng 2020:116321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116321.

[99]     Kini G, Chandrasekaran S, Tambasco M, Garimella S. A residential absorption chiller for high ambient temperatures. Int J Refrig 2020;120:31–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2020.08.022.

[102]   Chan JJ, Best R, Cerezo J, Barrera MA, Lezama FR. Experimental study of a bubble mode absorption with an inner vapor distributor in a plate heat exchanger-type absorber with NH3-LiNO3. Energies 2018;11. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11082137.

This reference was added and discussed in section 6:

[110]   Luna YRG, Franco WRG, Carrasco UD, Domínguez RJR, García JCJ. Integration of the experimental results of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) solar plant to an absorption air-conditioning system. Appl Sci 2018;8. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112163.

References added and discussed in section 7:

[118]   Mirl N, Doil M, Spindler K, Stergiaropoulos K. Comparison of ammonia/water equations of state under operating conditions of absorption systems. Fluid Phase Equilib 2020;526:112748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fluid.2020.112748.

[119]   Garimella S, Ponkala MJ, Goyal A, Staedter MA. Waste-heat driven ammonia-water absorption chiller for severe ambient operation. Appl Therm Eng 2019;154:442–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.03.098.

5. Figs. 16-18 needs improvement in terms of visualization.

A: Figure 16 had the scale updated to improve visualization (Line 1095). Lines were included in Figure 17 and Figure 18 to include a separation for the working fluids, improving visualization (Lines 1153 and 1160).

6. The conclusion part should be specific. Authors need to restate the main arguments in brief with supporting evidence and summarize all the key points made throughout.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The conclusion section was rewrite with better understanding. (Line 1163)

7. The author should include a “Nomenclature” section in alphabetic order.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. A nomenclature section was added. (At the end of the manuscript)

8. Significant effort should be made to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.

A: A significant revision of the manuscript have been carried out to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

1. The abstract section needs more clarification and motivation for the work. Authors can give more emphasis on applications and future recommendations.
2. Figs. 1-2 should be organized.
3. Author should mention researchers name in Tables 2-3.
4. The introduction and literature review parts need to be extended, therefore reviewing more recent literature (2019-2020) are recommended.
5. Figs. 16-18 needs improvement in terms of visualization.
6. The conclusion part should be specific. Authors need to restate the main arguments in brief with supporting evidence and summarize all the key points made throughout.
7. The author should include a “Nomenclature” section in alphabetic order.
8. Significant effort should be made to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.

Author Response

Absorption refrigeration systems based on ammonia as refrigerant using different absorbents: review and applications

Editor.

Firstly, we would like to thank the reviewers and the editor for their helpful comments on the manuscript. We believe that we have done everything that we have been asked to do. We have sought to give clear and objective replies.

Reviewer #1: The manuscript presents the state of the art of absorption refrigeration systems based on ammonia/absorbent, some of the most relevant studies in the area being critically analyzed. The topic is of interest for journal’s readers, but the manuscript needs to be improved on accuracy, suitability, and clarity.

1. Even if the authors present the results from the analyzed articles, the same unit for temperature (K or ^oC) and pressure (bar or kPa) should be used throughout the manuscript.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. This correction was made along the whole text, specifically, in subsection 3.1., 3.2. We decide to choose the next units, °C and kPa.

2. The manuscript should be reorganized for a better understanding. Sections 4 and 9 are too long and they should be divided in subsections.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. New subsections were added to make the reading more comfortable and clearer. In section 4, the subsections 4.1., 4.2., and 4.3 were added:

4. Evaluation study of ammonia/absorbents systems (Line 281)

4.1. Experimental assessment on absorption chiller (line 304);

4.2. Theoretical and numerical assessment on absorption chiller (line 377);

4.3. Miscellaneous assessment on absorption chiller (line 470).

In section 8 (before it was 9), the subsections 8.1., 8.2., and 8.2 were added;

8. Final considerations on the absorption refrigeration systems (NH3/Absorbents) – (Line 989);

8.1. Critical discussion of the results raised in this estate-of-the-art on the NH3/Absorbents Absorption Chillers (Line 1005);

8.2. Profiles of the COP values of the NH3/Absorbents (Line 1082).

3. Section 9 analyzes the performance of single/double/triple-effect systems and advanced cycles but no mention is found in section Conclusions.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The conclusion section was rewritten with a better understanding. A topic of that was added in line 1205 at the conclusion section.

4. A nomenclature should be added to Table 9 and eq (1) “T1”, “T6” and “T15” in figure 11 should be defined

A: This has been corrected, as requested. A nomenclature section was added at the end of the manuscript. Figure 11 was deleted and changed by the one made by the authors to easy to understanding, at line 600.

5. A legend should be provided with figures 5, 6, 7 or the numbers used in figures should be removed.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The numbers were removed and the variables were included in the nomenclature section.

6. Wrong caption was used in fig 14

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The legend for the figure 14 was change to: Figure 14. Schematic Partial-Load Test circuit apparatus used to assess the absorption chiller (Line 851)

7. Section 9 Final considerations on the absorption refrigeration systems (NH3/Absorbents) is wrong numbered.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. It should be section number 8 (Line 901).

8. References need to follow journal format. Just a few examples:

- Line 172 … started with the work presented by Davis et al. [37]

- Line 179 The work presented by Infante-Ferreira [12] …

- Line 364 The work presented in Liang et al. [72] …

A: This has been corrected, as requested. Those modifications were made along the whole text, and also in Tables 2 (Line 252) and 3 (Line 277).

9. The authors have to carefully proofread the manuscript in order to improve the language:

9.1. Lines 357-358 “In work carried out by Ventas et al. [71], a hybrid refrigeration system with a different system configuration was analyzed by Ayala et al. [61,62].”

9.2. Line 692 “From the studies presented it, it is evident …”

9.3. Lines 1007-1008 “Even better when these processes are performed in plate heat exchangers, due to the size, lower cost, ease of installation”

A: A significant revision of the manuscript have been carried out to improve language use.

10. It is obvious that in Line 279 and line 797 references are missing: Erro! Fonte de referência não encontrada. Shows.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The correction was made by substitute the reference for the table 5 (Line 338).

11. Has a formal agreement been obtained for reproduction of artwork?

A: We had to request permission to publish the figures that were cited and/or adapted. So far, we have obtained permissions for the following figures and tables: Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 13 and Table 6. For the other figures (Figures 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15), the permission would take around 15 working days, and, therefore, we decided to make our own figures in order to avoid delaying the reviewing process. We can adapt our manuscript with the new figures without losing the context of the text.

Reviewer #2:

1. The abstract section needs more clarification and motivation for the work. Authors can give more emphasis on applications and future recommendations.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The abstract was remade taking into account the indication and suggestions made by the reviewer (Line 21). The new abstract has the goal, methodology, motivation, results found in the literature, and also, future recommendations to study for this matter.

2. Figs. 1-2 should be organized.

A: Figure 1 and Figure 2 were organized, as it seen in lines 141 and 167.

3. Author should mention researchers name in Tables 2-3.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The correct form to cited the authors were made in tables 2 and 3 (Lines 252, 277)

4. The introduction and literature review parts need to be extended, therefore reviewing more recent literature (2019-2020) are recommended.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. Several works were include considering the years of 2019 to 2021. The introduction section was improved and also, other studies were included to closure the understanding along the text of the manuscript.

The modifications in the introduction were:

Lines 73-85; Lines 78-85; Lines 96-98; Lines 109-112;

[4]       Matjanov E. Gas turbine efficiency enhancement using absorption chiller. Case study for Tashkent CHP. Energy 2020;192:116625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116625.

[6]       Da Marques AS, Carvalho M, Ochoa ÁAV, Souza RJ, dos Santos CAC. Exergoeconomic assessment of a compact electricity-cooling cogeneration unit. Energies 2020;13. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13205417.

[8]       Butt IB, Tan J, Waqas A, Ali M, Javed A, Ali AY. Effect of modified flow schemes of heat transfer fluid on the performance of a solar absorption-cooling system for an educational building in Pakistan. Appl Sci 2020;10:1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093327.

[14]     Martínez PJ, Martínez P, Soto VM, Bujedo LA, Rodriguez J. Design of a 35 kW solar cooling demonstration facility for a hotel in spain. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10020496.;

[13]     Calise F, Cappiello FL, D’Accadia MD, Libertini L, Vicidomini M. Dynamic simulation and thermoeconomic analysis of a trigeneration system in a hospital application. Energies 2020;13:1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143558

[17]     Albers J. Improved solar operation control for a solar cooling system of an IT center. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/APP10103354.

mediterranean climate. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072418.

[15]     Ren J, Qian Z, Yao Z, Gan N, Zhang Y. Thermodynamic Evaluation of LiCl-H 2 O and 2019.

[16]     Tahmasebzadehbaie M, Najafi Nobar S, Derahaki M. Thermodynamic analysis of the NGL plant in a sample gas refinery and problem solving by designing an absorption chiller. Appl Therm Eng 2019;159:113963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.113963.

[35]     Ayou DS, Coronas A. applied sciences New Developments and Progress in Absorption Chillers for Solar Cooling Applications. 2020.

References added and discussed in section 5:

[98]     Chandrasekaran S, Hughes M, Kini G, Garimella S. A microchannel shell-and-tube absorber for ammonia-water absorption. Appl Therm Eng 2020:116321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116321.

[99]     Kini G, Chandrasekaran S, Tambasco M, Garimella S. A residential absorption chiller for high ambient temperatures. Int J Refrig 2020;120:31–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2020.08.022.

[102]   Chan JJ, Best R, Cerezo J, Barrera MA, Lezama FR. Experimental study of a bubble mode absorption with an inner vapor distributor in a plate heat exchanger-type absorber with NH3-LiNO3. Energies 2018;11. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11082137.

This reference was added and discussed in section 6:

[110]   Luna YRG, Franco WRG, Carrasco UD, Domínguez RJR, García JCJ. Integration of the experimental results of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) solar plant to an absorption air-conditioning system. Appl Sci 2018;8. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112163.

References added and discussed in section 7:

[118]   Mirl N, Doil M, Spindler K, Stergiaropoulos K. Comparison of ammonia/water equations of state under operating conditions of absorption systems. Fluid Phase Equilib 2020;526:112748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fluid.2020.112748.

[119]   Garimella S, Ponkala MJ, Goyal A, Staedter MA. Waste-heat driven ammonia-water absorption chiller for severe ambient operation. Appl Therm Eng 2019;154:442–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.03.098.

5. Figs. 16-18 needs improvement in terms of visualization.

A: Figure 16 had the scale updated to improve visualization (Line 1095). Lines were included in Figure 17 and Figure 18 to include a separation for the working fluids, improving visualization (Lines 1153 and 1160).

6. The conclusion part should be specific. Authors need to restate the main arguments in brief with supporting evidence and summarize all the key points made throughout.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. The conclusion section was rewrite with better understanding. (Line 1163)

7. The author should include a “Nomenclature” section in alphabetic order.

A: This has been corrected, as requested. A nomenclature section was added. (At the end of the manuscript)

8. Significant effort should be made to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.

A: A significant revision of the manuscript have been carried out to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report