Absorption chillers

Effects of fouling in absorption chiller tubes

When heat‑exchange tubes inside an absorption chiller become fouled, the system’s heat‑transfer efficiency is significantly reduced. Below, you can find some of the key effects of fouling in these components.

• Reduced heat‑transfer rate: Fouling creates an insulating layer on the tube surfaces, restricting the transfer of heat between the lithium bromide solution, chilled water, and cooling water circuits. This reduces the overall heat‑transfer rate, as deposits such as crystallized salts, scale, corrosion residues, or organic material increase thermal resistance.
• Increased energy consumption: As heat transfer declines, the absorption chiller must operate under higher thermal load to achieve the same cooling output. This often results in increased energy consumption from auxiliary equipment such as solution pumps, cooling tower fans, and hot‑water or steam supply systems that must compensate for the reduced efficiency.
• Shorter equipment lifespan: Persistent fouling increases operational stress on the chiller, leading to higher solution pump workload, elevated temperatures, and greater pressure drops. These conditions accelerate wear on tubes and internal components, resulting in more frequent maintenance, higher repair costs, and a shorter overall equipment lifespan.
• Corrosion and damage: Certain types of fouling – especially scale, sludge, or biological growth – can promote localized corrosion on tube surfaces. Over time, this corrosion weakens the tubes, increasing the risk of leaks, lithium bromide contamination, or vacuum loss, all of which can lead to costly downtime and repairs.