Nanofluids for Improved Heat and Mass Transfer in Absorption Refrigeration

Absorption refrigerators are heat-activated cooling systems whose invention predates that of the standard vapor-compression refrigerator. If they can be made more efficient and with less initial cost, they they could be introduced in a wide number of applications where wither waste heat or solar heating is available. By enhancing the mass transport properties of the liquid carrier, the absorption process - where the refrigerant vapor must be absorbed into the liquid carrier - can be made more efficient. Since absorption process is the "Achilles heel" of the entire absorption cycle, improving the absorption process will result in more efficient refrigerators, which can be built with smaller components and hence less initial costs.