Research on Energy-Saving Control Strategies for Single-Effect Absorption Refrigeration Systems

Zhenchang Liu (), Aiguo Wu () and Haitang Wen
Additional contact information
Zhenchang Liu: School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Aiguo Wu: School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Haitang Wen: School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-25

Abstract: The automatic control device is a critical component of absorption refrigeration systems. Its functional enhancement can reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure long-term stable unit operation. Given that absorption refrigeration systems operate under various dynamic conditions, the rational design of control strategies is particularly important. This study analyzes the influence of changes in the cooling water and heat source water flow rates on the outlet temperature of chilled water in the unit based on the open-loop response characteristics of absorption refrigeration systems. It proposes a dual-loop energy-saving control strategy for single-effect hot water lithium bromide absorption refrigeration systems based on the setpoint comprehensive optimization algorithm. Considering the multiple variables, strong coupling, large inertia, long time delay, and nonlinear characteristics of absorption refrigeration systems, as well as the difficulties in modeling these systems, this study applies a model-free adaptive control algorithm to the system’s control. It derives both SISO and MIMO model-free control algorithms with time-delay components. Through simulations comparing MFAC, improved MFAC, and traditional PID control, the dual-loop energy-saving control strategy is demonstrated to effectively reduce system heat consumption by approximately 20%, decrease power consumption by about 10%, and enhance the system’s SCOP by approximately 19.3%.

Keywords: MFAC; absorption refrigeration; control strategy; energy-saving control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/18/4658/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/18/4658/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:18:p:4658-:d:1480459

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().