For LiBr absorption chiller, lithium bromide solution is just like their "blood", and the concentration of the solution is the health indicator of this "blood", which holds the "code" for the efficient operation of the LiBr absorption chiller. Many people only know that it is a working fluid in the LiBr absorption chiller, but they are not aware that even a slight deviation in its concentration, although it does not seem to affect the normal operation of the machine, will quietly reduce the refrigeration effect, and even damage the machine and increase costs. Today, we will explain this "concentration code" in plain language.

Simply put, the concentration of lithium bromide solution is the ratio of "pure lithium bromide" to "water" — a high concentration means more lithium bromide and less water; a low concentration means less lithium bromide and more water. Its core function is simple: to absorb and release the "water vapor" used for refrigeration, and this process directly determines how fast the LiBr absorption chiller cools and how energy-saving it is. Under normal circumstances, the concentration must be controlled between 50% and 60% (depending on the machine model and operating environment), which is the most suitable "golden concentration" that can not only ensure the ability to absorb water vapor but also avoid problems. Moreover, the concentration is not fixed; it changes with the machine load and ambient temperature. Once it exceeds this range, the "code" will become invalid.

First, let's talk about the problem of excessively high concentration. Although it seems to have "strong absorption capacity", it actually hides hidden dangers. If the concentration is too high, the solution will become viscous, just like honey is thicker than water, and flow very slowly inside the machine. As a result, on the one hand, the heater in the machine cannot fully heat the solution, leading to less steam generated for refrigeration; on the other hand, the viscous solution in the absorber cannot quickly "capture" the steam generated by the evaporator, resulting in slow refrigeration cycle and direct deterioration of refrigeration effect. More insidiously, excessively high concentration is prone to "crystallization" — just like concentrated sugar water will precipitate sugar grains, especially when the machine is shut down and cooled, lithium bromide crystals may block the pipelines and valves. Even if the concentration is adjusted back later, the residual crystals will continue to affect refrigeration. In the long run, the refrigeration effect may decrease by 10% to 20%, and it will cost a lot of money to repair the machine.

Next, let's look at the situation of excessively low concentration. This problem is more hidden but will waste electricity and damage the machine in the long run. When the concentration is too low, the ability of the solution to absorb steam will be weakened, just like a sponge that can no longer absorb water after being saturated, and a large amount of steam used for refrigeration will be wasted in vain. At the same time, the solution with low concentration has poor heat absorption efficiency, and the heater of the machine has to spend more effort to heat it to generate enough steam for refrigeration. Although the machine seems to be refrigerating, it consumes more electricity and cools more slowly. Many users will only feel that "the machine is becoming more and more power-consuming" but will not think that it is caused by the excessively low concentration of the solution. In the long run, not only will the electricity bill increase, but the internal parts of the machine will also age faster.

You may ask, how can the concentration suddenly become abnormal? In fact, it is mostly caused by small accumulated problems over a long period of time: for example, poor sealing of the machine leads to air ingress, which will damage the concentration balance; malfunctions in the water supply system result in insufficient or excessive water addition; scaling on the heat exchange tubes in the machine affects the heating and cooling effects, indirectly leading to concentration imbalance. These small problems seem insignificant, but they will eventually reduce the refrigeration efficiency through concentration abnormalities, becoming an "invisible killer" of the LiBr absorption chiller.

Unlocking this "concentration code" is actually very simple. The core is to "check frequently and adjust in time". In daily use, regularly detect the concentration of the solution, and timely add lithium bromide or dilute with water according to the machine load and ambient temperature to keep it within the reasonable range of 50% to 60%; at the same time, do a good job in the sealing maintenance of the machine and regularly clean the scale on the heat exchange tubes to avoid concentration abnormalities from the source. In this way, the LiBr absorption chiller can get rid of invisible losses, cool quickly, save electricity, and extend its service life — this is the core of the "concentration code" of lithium bromide solution and the key to the efficient operation of the LiBr absorption chiller.