Absorption refrigeration systems areone of the oldest systems available. Thefundamentals of absorption refrigerationwere formulated about 1777, and the firstsuccessful absorption machine was developedin 1850. The first U.S. patent for anabsorption refrigeration system was issuedin 1860. Absorption systems can usemany different heat sources to produce therefrigeration effect: natural gas, steam,solar, and oil.While absorption systems were popularin the U.S. in the early part of the 20thcentury, their use declined in the midtwentieth century for several reasons: (1)increased reliability of vapor compressionsystems, (2) dropping electric prices (inreal dollars), and (3) rapidly increasinggas prices.In recent years, there has been aresurgence of interest in absorptionrefrigeration and cooling. Natural gasprices have moderated while electric pricescontinue to rise. The reliability andperformance of absorption systems have beensubstantially improved with new technologyfrom Japan.This paper summarizes the results ofthe operation of three absorption systemslocated in the greater Dallas/Ft. Wortharea.
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