Absorption chillers produce "cold" using a heat source to drive the cooling system. The energy performance of an absorption cooling system is influenced by a number of factors such as the type of fuel, the chiller capacity and seasonal coefficient of performance (COP). Other factors include the size and the type of the cooling load (i.e. space and/or process cooling, single or multiple zones, single or multiple buildings). And the energy performance of a district cooling (multiple buildings) system will also be influenced by the design supply and return temperatures, and the distribution line pipe sizing. Refer to the Absorption Cooling System Schematic for more information.

Software & Data
The RETScreen Software Absorption Cooling Model can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy production and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for absorption chiller projects, ranging in size from subcooling refrigerant using an absorption chiller in a dairy plant, meat processing plant, restaurant or supermarket, to community district cooling systems using waste heat from electric utility's power generator for residential (e.g. houses, apartments), commercial (e.g. offices, warehouses, stores) and institutional (e.g. hospitals, schools, sports complexes, cultural centres) buildings and industrial facilities. The software (available in multiple languages) also includes product, project and climate databases, and a detailed user manual.

Click here to download RETScreen 4 (36 MB).

Case studies / Templates
Cooling, heating & power - Recip engine - Abs. - 450 kW - Natural gas / USA
Cooling, heating & power - Recip engine - Abs. - 1,800 kW - Diesel (#2 oil)/USA
Cooling, heating & power - Steam turbine - Abs. - 11,750 kW - Natural gas/USA
Combined heating & cooling - Boiler - Absorption - Office / USA
Cooling - Absorption - Institutional / United States of America