Cooling by absorption or adsorption

Baseline strategy · No score

It produces cold from a useful thermal source, especially when residual or solar heat is available.

Subject: Thermal systems and ventilationContext: Industry · Thermal networks · BuildingsCost: highEffort: highLevel: ambitiousStage: designMaturity: context-dependent
Principle of Refrigeración por absorción o adsorción
Operating principle

How it works

It produces cold from a useful thermal source, especially when residual or solar heat is available.

It meets thermal and indoor air needs after reducing demand, through sized, controlled, maintainable systems compatible with decarbonization.

When does it make sense?

  • After reducing loads and defining health and comfort requirements
  • When partial load and year-round performance can be compared
  • With access to commissioning, maintenance and monitoring

How to apply it

  1. 1

    To define what need resolves "absorption or adsorption cooling" and to establish a starting situation.

  2. 2

    Compare alternatives and adapt design to climate, use, regulation, affected people and available resources.

  3. 3

    Apply with clear responsibilities, check the actual result and correct unwanted effects.

Potential benefits

Thermal comfort

Healthier indoor air

Lower consumption and power

Limitations and precautions

  • The result depends on context, design, execution and how it is used and maintained.
  • Nominal efficiency does not guarantee the performance of the entire system.
  • Dimensions, refrigerants, noise, hygiene, controls and maintenance should be evaluated.

Keep Exploring

Related strategies

Illustration of Energía solar térmica
Solar thermal energyTurns solar radiation into useful heat for water, processes or air conditioning support with adequate storage and control.See strategy
Illustration of Redes de calor y frío eficientes
Efficient heat and cold networksThey share thermal, renewable or residual heat sources between several buildings through a coordinated network.See strategy
Illustration of Ventilación con recuperación de calor o energía
Ventilation with heat or energy recoveryTransfers some of the energy from the extracted air to the outside air by keeping the flow rates separate when applicable.See strategy