Absorption cycles. A review with regard to energetic efficiency

The improvement of energy conversion systems in order to decrease consumption of primary energy and to minimize negative impact on the environment which originates from industries with large cooling and heating demand is mandatory. We want to review the potential of absorption heat pump technology in this respect. Absorption systems are compared to conventional compression systems with regard to the consumption of primary energy. Different areas of application such as air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, combined cooling and heating, and process heat recovery are treated. Absorption systems have a large potential for energy saving, especially when they are operated by heat from cogeneration systems or, of course, by waste heat. But even direct-fired systems can compete with compression machinery: highly efficient cycles which perform far better than comparable conventional machines are in development.