Feasibility of vapour absorption based air- conditioning in industries: a case study

Abstract

This paper presents the results of financial and technical feasibility of vapour absorption based air- conditioning systems (VAAC) in an industrial environment in comparison to vapour compression based systems (VCAC). The financial analysis of the study involves three possible scenarios including a waste heat recovery based system. It is concluded that the most attractive option is to install VAAC systems at the initial stages of construction of the factory premises. The other options involving existing industrial installations where waste heat recovery from standby generator units can be utilised, provide internal rates of return (IRR) varying from 1.9% to 24% and simple pay back periods vaiying from 11 years to 5 years respectively. The latter two options are applicable to existing installations. The most attractive option for the industrial installation selected in the case study is where a VAAC system is provided to supplement the existing VCAC system. This is likely to give an IRR of 14% and a simple pay back period of 8 years under present conditions.