Laboratory-scale experimental study (May 2002) of a novel absorption refrigeration system combined with a thermal (ice) storage (TIS) using vacuum freezing and a steam jet-pump. The report (authors Ian W. Eames and Jorge Caeiro) describes rig design, component specifications, TIS element construction (polymer-gel filled perforated baskets), and experimental campaigns measuring gel concentration, element layout, jet-pump entrainment and nozzle position, critical back-pressure, freezing performance and full-cycle operation. Key measured outcomes: optimum gel water content ≈98% w/w, jet-pump critical back-pressure ≈1.4 kPa, measured entrainment ratio ≈0.443, measured jet‑pump-only COP ≈0.469 and estimated design charging COP ≈0.38. The study concludes technical feasibility but recommends further instrumentation improvements and cost/lifecycle analysis and industry partnership for scale-up.
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May 2002 (Date: 2002-05-1)
Ian W. Eames; Jorge Caeiro
90 5748 028 X
5 kW
Approximately 98.27% w/w water (reported ≈98%)