Adsorption chiller

Analyzing the Adsorption Chiller Market Dynamics

Market Overview: The global adsorption chiller market has experienced steady growth, reflecting a rising demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions. According to 360iResearch™, the market size increased from USD 3.24 billion in 2023 to USD 3.31 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 2.94% expected to elevate it to USD 3.97 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by the increasing focus on sustainability and the need for innovative cooling technologies across various industries, including manufacturing and commercial sectors. Additionally, the maritime industry presents a substantial opportunity, with over 65,000 ships in operation as of 2018, growing at an annual rate of 3.5%. The adoption of absorption chillers, particularly for waste heat recovery, is expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs, positioning this market for robust expansion.

Industry Insights: The demand for adsorption chillers is influenced by various factors including energy efficiency, regulatory pressures, and evolving consumer preferences. As industries seek to comply with stringent environmental regulations, the shift towards eco-friendly cooling solutions has accelerated. Furthermore, the hospitality and retail sectors are increasingly investing in advanced cooling systems to improve guest experiences and operational efficiency. However, affordability remains a challenge, particularly in price-sensitive markets where initial investment costs can deter potential buyers. Manufacturers are responding by exploring financing options and innovative solutions to enhance accessibility. Overall, the adsorption chiller market is poised for growth, driven by technological advancements and the ongoing transition towards sustainable practices across industries.

Types of adsorption chillers

Although adsorption chillers work the same way, they have different characteristics.

• Silica gel/ water pair

  Usually, the material used for the adsorber in Silica gel chillers is Silica gel, which acts as the adsorbent. Silica gel has a high affinity for water vapor, allowing it to effectively adsorb and dehydrate the refrigerant. Water serves as the working fluid or refrigerant in these chillers. The combination of silica gel and water creates a cooling effect through the adsorption and desorption processes. Cool sits after the evaporation process and is then reabsorbed by the silica gel during the heat regeneration process.

• Activated carbon/ organic refrigerant

  Organic refrigerants such as methanol or ethanol serve as the refrigerant and are adsorbed by the activated carbon. Activated carbon is a highly porous material with a large surface area, which makes it an effective adsorbent for organic compounds. The activated carbon adsorbs the organic refrigerant, and heat is applied to desorb it, completing the refrigeration cycle.

• Double effect chillers

  These chillers utilize a two-stage adsorption process. In the first stage, the primary adsorber operates using low-temperature heat to drive the desorption process. A secondary adsorber then employs rejection heat from the first adsorber to complete the cycle and produce cooling. Double-effect machines have higher efficiencies than single-stage adsorbers.

• Cooling capacity

  Adsorption chillers are available in different cooling capacities. The size of the chiller determines its cooling power. Smaller units suit commercial buildings and larger ones industrial facilities.

• Modular design

  Some adsorption chillers have a modular design, allowing the system to be easily expanded or contracted to meet changing cooling demands. This flexibility is ideal for applications with variable cooling loads or growth projections.

When evaluating and choosing an adsorption chiller, understanding the different kinds can help buyers select an option that suits their particular needs, applications, and efficiency targets.

Specifications of adsorption chillers

The specifications of the adsorption machine highlight their capabilities and how well they perform when used to cool spaces.

• Cooling capacity: The cooling capacity indicates the quantity of heat an adsorption chiller can extract from a warm space per hour. For a small-scale chiller with a capacity of 10kW, it is sufficient to cool a room that requires 10kW of cooling. Large-capacity chillers can have a capacity of over 1,000kW.
• Absorbent and refrigerant: An adsorption chiller works with some refrigerant and absorbent. Commonly, water is the refrigerant, and lithium bromide is the absorbent. When water and lithium bromide are used together, the chiller has excellent operational performance and environmental friendliness.
• Operation temperature range: The temperature range indicates the chillers' ability to function within a specific temperature. Generally, an adsorption chiller can work within the evaporation temperatures of 3 to 25 degrees Celsius and the condensation temperatures of 28 to 40 degrees Celsius. For these temperature spans, the refrigerating temperature can be over 17 degrees Celsius.
• Source heat: The source heat for an adsorption chiller is the energy input that makes it work. Usually, a chiller can work with various heat sources, such as solar thermal energy, waste heat, hot water, steam, gas boilers, and other types of just heat.
• Power consumption: An adsorption machine does not consume power directly, unlike a traditional electric chiller. Instead, external heat energy activates the chiller to absorb heat from the environment. The only power consumption in the machine might result from the circulating water pumps, cooling water pumps, and system control.
• Water evaporation: The water evaporation indicates how much chilled water the chiller can produce in a year.

Application scenarios of adsorption chillers

As a cooling technology with a bright development prospect, the adsorption chiller machine has a wide range of application scenarios.

• The adsorption chiller is a key link in the solar cooling technology. Solar cooling technology means using solar energy to provide cooling. It mainly applies to solar adsorption chillers. Solar adsorption chillers can directly convert solar thermal energy into coolness without going through electricity. This is a very suitable technology for places rich in solar energy. For example, in some hot areas lacking electricity, solar-driven adsorption chillers can be used to cool buildings or provide refrigeration services.
• In the geothermal energy utilization field, geothermal energy can also be used as a heat source for the adsorption chiller. This allows the machine to provide refrigeration services. For example, in some areas rich in geothermal resources, the geothermal-powered adsorption chiller can be used for central air conditioning systems or industrial refrigeration system.
• The biomass energy utilization field, biomass energy also becomes an ideal heat source for the adsorption chiller. This provides another implementation ways of biomass energy utilization. For example, in some places rich in biomass resources, biomass-powered adsorption coolers can be used to cool or refrigerate.
• In the field of industrial production, the adsorption chiller also plays an important role. It can be used in processes that need to be cool or refrigerate. For example, in food and beverage processing industry, there are many procedures that need to be cool or refrigerate. Adsorption chillers can be used to provide cooling services. In chemical industry, some chemical reactions or process need to be cool. The adsorption chiller can be used to ensure that these chemical reactions or processes are carried out at the right temperature.
• In the air conditioning field, adsorption chillers can be used to replace traditional electric chillers and be an important part of central air conditioning systems. Central air conditioning systems are widely used in offices, hotels, shopping malls, buildings and other places. Meanwhile, it can diffuse heat. For example, central air conditioning systems need to refrigerate a large space in an office or a large amount of heat in a commercial building. Or, central air conditioning system needs to be cool for many indoor rooms. An adsorption chiller has high efficiency, and it can help central air conditioning systems save energy and realize sustainable development.

How to Choose Absorption Chillers

Before shopping for an absorption chiller for sale, it is important to consider several factors. These factors will help business buyers find a chiller that meets their needs and specifications.

• Cooling Capacity: Cooling capacity is a very important factor to consider when purchasing an absorption chiller. It determines the amount of heat the chiller can remove from the space it is meant to cool. Business buyers should ensure that the chiller's cooling capacity matches the cooling load of the building or space they intend to use it. If the absorption chiller's cooling capacity is too low, it won't be able to effectively meet the cooling needs of the space. On the other hand, if the capacity is too high, it will lead to inefficiency and unnecessary operating costs.
• Enercy Source: Business buyers need to consider the type of energy source their intended absorption chiller will use. The most common energy sources for these chillers are natural gas, heat recovery, and waste heat. Buyers should choose the energy source that aligns with their operational requirements and available resources. Also, this will help ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
• System Compatibility: Business buyers should take time to evaluate the compatibility of the absorption chiller with their existing systems. They should consider factors such as the refrigerant used, the operating temperature and pressure, and the integration options available. Buyers should choose a chiller that can be easily integrated into their current setup to avoid potential disruptions and additional costs.
• Focus on Efficiency: It is important to focus on the absorption chiller's energy efficiency rating. Buyers should choose a chiller with a high-energy efficiency ratio (EER) or coefficient of performance (COP). This will help minimize operating costs and environmental impact. Additionally, business buyers should consider the chiller's thermal efficiency, which is the ability to convert thermal energy into cooling.

Adsorption chiller Q&A

Q1 What does the future hold for adsorption chillers?

A1 Adsorption chillers are beneficial due to their environmentally friendly features and energy-saving characteristics. Therefore, their market demand is expected to increase steadily in the future. However, the market for industrial chillers is set to grow from $5.7 billion in 2023 to $8.5 billion by 2030. B2B buyers can take advantage of this growing market by investing in high-quality, efficient chillers.

Q2 What are the limitations of adsorption chillers?

A2 Adsorption chillers may have some limitations, such as low efficiency under part-load conditions, high initial costs, dependence on the temperature and quality of the heat source, and long payback periods. In addition, the cooling capacity may not be sufficient for high-temperature climates.

Q3 What is the difference between adsorption and absorption chillers?

A3 The main difference between adsorption and absorption chillers is how they use refrigerant water. While Absorption chillers employ a Lithium Bromide-Hydrogenated water solution, Adsorption chillers use a solid-sorptive silica gel-water system. Additionally, adsorption chillers are more preferable than absorption chillers because they can utilise low-temperature waste heat.

Q4 Which is better adsorption or desorption chiller?

A4 Both adsorption and desorption chillers have their advantages. While the adsorption chiller is cost-effective, the desorption chiller is energy efficient.