Combined Heat and Power Technology Fact Sheet: Absorption Chillers for CHP Systems

This fact sheet provides an overview of absorption chillers, which are used in commercial buildings and industrial plants to provide air conditioning, refrigeration, and process fluid cooling. Two common chiller types are vapor compression and absorption. Absorption chillers are driven with thermal energy produced from a direct-fired burner integrated with the chiller or with thermal energy supplied indirectly to the chiller. Indirect thermal sources include hot water, steam, or combustion exhaust. Absorption chillers can convert thermal energy from CHP and industrial heating operations into useful onsite cooling, reducing power requirements and associated carbon emissions.