Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

www.elsevier.com/locate/apthermeng

Methodology for the energy analysis of an air cooled

GAX absorption heat pump operated by natural gas and
solar energy
a,* b
N. Vel
azquez , R. Best
a
Instituto de Ingenierıa, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Calle de la Normal s/n, col. Insurgentes Este,
21280 Mexicali, B.C., Mexico
b
Centro de Investigaci on en Energıa, UNAM, Privada Xochicalco s/n col. Centro, Apdo. Postal 34, Temixco,
62580 Morelos, Mexico
Received 22 June 2001; accepted 2 January 2002

Abstract
In this work a methodological analysis and energy evaluation of an air cooled absorption system, with
generator–absorber heat exchange (GAX), and operated by a hybrid natural gas–solar energy source is
presented. Given the characteristic non-linearity of the resulting system of equations, the methodology
proposed envisages a calculation sequence for the external currents and an iterative procedure for the
internal currents.
The system studied intents to be an alternative for space conditioning in the residential sector, the unit
was designed with a capacity of 10.6 kW (3 Ton) of cooling and uses as working fluid ammonia–water.
Giving priority to internal energy integration, an arrangement is proposed for the GAX cycle that allows
19% of solar contribution at full load, being greater at partial loads. In spite of using ambient air up to 40

C with a relative humidity of 24% as cooling source, a COP value of 0.86 for cooling and 1.86 for heating
was calculated, with an internal energy integration of 16.9 kW, 37% more than the energy that is supplied to
the generator.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Absorption refrigeration; GAX cycle; Absorption heat pump

*
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: nvl@cie.unam.mx (N. Velázquez).

1359-4311/02/$ - see front matter  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S 1 3 5 9 - 4 3 1 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 2 8 - 5
1090 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

Nomenclature

A current ratio (m27 =m14 )

Cp specific heat (kJ/kg
C)
FNH fraction of net heat
h specific enthalpy (kJ/kg)
IHE internal heat exchange
m mass flow rate
g mechanical efficiency of pump (fraction)
P pressure (MPa or bar)
Q heat flow (kJ/min or kW)
CR circulation ratio (dimensionless)
FR flow ratio (dimensionless)
T temperature (
C or K)
v specific volume (m3 /kg)
W specific work (kJ/kg)
w
kg water/kg dry air
W Power (kW)
x mass fraction of ammonia (kg ammonia/kg mixture)
x molar fraction of ammonia in the liquid phase
y mass fraction of ammonia (kg ammonia/kg mixture)
y molar fraction of ammonia in the vapour phase
D variable change
Subscripts
AB absorber
AHX absorber heat exchange
CO condenser
EV evaporator
F fan
RE rectifier
GE generator
PRE pre-cooler
GAX generator absorber heat exchange
GHX generator heat exchange
CW chilled water
SP solution pump
SE solar energy
oh overheating
L liquid
NG natural gas
V vapour
oil heating oil
 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103 1091

a cooling air
w water
C calculated
R required or refrigerant

1. Introduction

Though cooling by absorption was known for more than hundred years, it was little investi-
gated after its invention, since energy resources were abundant and inexpensive.
In the sixties, a reappearance of the absorption technology with application in air conditioning
was seen, systems were developed that used as working fluids ammonia–water and water–lithium
bromide. The great majority of these single stage units were designed to operate either direct fired
or with steam. These systems have a COP in cooling mode of around 0.5–0.7.
The possibility of recovering internal heat in the basic absorption cycle, in a wide absorbent
solution concentration interval, was described at the beginning of the century by Altenkirch [1].
These investigations set the basis for the development of a new generation of advanced absorption
cycles including the GAX cycle. The GAX cycle is a system that provides the highest coefficient of
performance (COP) of any single effect absorption cycle [2].
After comparing several advanced absorption cycles, with several work fluids, Phillips [3],
proposed that an ammonia–water GAX heat pump cycle was the most acceptable for air con-
ditioning for the residential sector, with a COP of 1.03 for cooling and 2.03 for heating.
The GAX cycle with the addition of a pump and a ramification line to recycle part of the
solution from the absorber to the generator in order to equalise the quantities of heat exchanged,
is known as the branched GAX cycle. Different types of ramifications (recirculations) have been
proposed, reporting a 30% COP increase relative to the simple GAX cycle [4]. Many other ad-
vanced cycles are based on the principles developed by Altenkich, such as the regenerative GAX
cycle (RGAX) [5], multi GAX cycle (MGAX) [6], the poly branched regenerative GAX cycle [6],
vapour exchange GAX cycle (VXGAX), [7,8], amongst others. Kang et al. [9] proposed the
WGAX cycle in order to reduce the required temperature levels in the generator and therefore
opening the possibility of utilising waste heat and avoiding corrosion problems.
Important developments in large capacities, are the multiple effect cycles, including triple effect
units [10]. These equipments, even though they are more efficient than single stage systems, they
are also more costly. Also, absorption systems have been proposed that are a combination and
coupling of the basic cycles (stages) to structure arrangements or a particular configuration, [11].
The potential of the absorption systems is found in a decrease of the electrical energy con-
sumption inside and outside of the peak hours, to use waste heat, to increase the efficiency of the
cogeneration systems by producing simultaneously electricity and heating and cooling, environ-
mental protection and economic benefits for the user. But it is wanted to have a greater com-
mercial success, it is necessary to develop units with smaller equipment cost, since at present the
absorption systems cost the double than mechanical vapour compression systems of the same
capacity, and in most cases, the operation costs are not low enough as to compensate the dif-
ference in initial investment.
1092 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

The scope of this work is directed to the development of an advanced absorption system for
space air-conditioning in the residential and small commercial sectors, using an energy source with
minimum ecological repercusions and an economically viable technology.
In this work a methodology and evaluation is presented for the thermodynamic performance of
an absorption system with heat exchange between absorber and generator (GAX), air cooled and
driven by a hybrid energy source (natural gas/solar). The proposed Solar-GAX cycle uses am-
monia/water as working fluid and was designed with a cooling capacity of 10.6 kW.

2. Proposed system

The proposed absorption system for air-conditioning for the residential sector is shown sche-
matically in Figs. 1 and 2. This unit uses as working fluid ammonia–water, has a capacity of 10.6
kW of cooling and it comprises of six main equipment components, two less than the basic one
stage cycle: Generator, rectifier, condenser, pre-cooler, evaporator, absorber. The economiser and
the cooling tower are eliminated.
To obtain an efficient and compact unit, and with less equipment cost, the rectifier was in-
corporated to the generator forming the generator-rectifying column and the colder section of the
generator (GAX-generator) is integrated to the absorber to form the GAX-absorber column.
Integrating the GAX-generator to the absorber, the external heat transfer circuit including the
pump, the pipeline circuit and the external control system are eliminated.
The generator and absorber are split into sections, to obtain a greater internal energy inte-
gration and in this way reducing the external heating requirements in the generator and the need
of external cooling services in the absorber.
The configuration of the absorption system allows the incorporation of a source of hybrid
energy, natural gas–solar. The sources of energy as are not intermixed and can be handled in-
dependently, avoiding a reduction on the efficiency of the solar collector system.

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of the Solar-GAX absorption cycle.

 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103 1093

Fig. 2. System diagram of the Solar-GAX cycle using ammonia–water solution pair (cooling mode).

Another key feature of the system is that uses air as a means of cooling the absorber, condenser
and rectifier, instead of water from a costly cooling tower, not practical or economically viable for
these small units. Cooling with air, maintenance and operational cost of the cooling tower are
eliminated (mechanical and chemical cleaning), as well as the space required by the unit. The
foregoing tends to compensate the decrease in efficiency of the system as a consequence of cooling
with air.
The pre-heating and pre-cooling processes of the weak and strong solution respectively is ac-
complished as follows: Upon leaving the absorber, the cold solution is again introduced to the
middle part of the same absorber so that through the wall of the finned tubes it receives the
absorption heat from this section of the absorber and is pre-heated before entering the generator.
The hot solution that leaves the generator, is again introduced to the middle section of the
1094 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

generator, where through the wall of the finned tubes will reject heat to the solution, therefore
being cooled before entering the absorber. Consequently less external cooling and heating will be
required for the system.
The GAX absorption system can work in cooling manner in summer and heating in winter,
adapting ducts to the air cooling circuit.

2.1. Operative description

Following the schematic diagram in Fig. 2, ammonia vapour (99.3%), leaves the rectifier in
state 15. saturated at the high pressure of the system. The refrigerant vapour is cooled and liq-
uefied in the condenser as saturated liquid, at state 16; It is then subcooled in the pre-cooler (state
17) and thereafter passes through an expansion valve, where the pressure is reduced, giving as a
result a two phase cooled mixture at state 18. The liquid ammonia enters the evaporator, where
upon extracting heat from the water to cool, it is converted into vapour, producing the refrig-
erating effect and then exits as saturated vapour in state 21 or in some instances with a little of
liquid, this liquid that is in greater proportion water, is evaporated in the pre-cooler, leaving in
state 22. The relatively cold ammonia vapour enters then the GAX-absorber column from the
lower part, where it is condensed and absorbed in three different stages by means of the hot
aqueous-ammonia solution. The dissolution of ammonia is exothermic, so heat exchange equip-
ment in the absorber is included in order to cool the hot solution, improving its absorption ca-
pacity. The foregoing is achieved by means of air cooling and the utilisation of the same cold
solution that leaves the absorber, as can be observed in Fig. 2.
The ammonia strong solution, leaves the GAX-absorber column in state 23 and enters the
pump, leaving at high pressure at state 24 and is then introduced again into the middle section of
the (AHX) column, where it cools and receives heat from the absorber, leaving in state 28, en-
tering the hottest part of the absorber (GAX section), in which upon receiving high-quality ab-
sorption heat, reaches the saturation point and vaporises leaving at state 7, as a vapour–liquid
mixture.
The two phase high pressure mixture, enters the separation section of the generator–rectifier
column, in which the liquid phase is incorporated into the condensed vapour originating from the
rectifier (state 11) and enters the generator in state 10, in which heat is added in three sections
(GHX, solar and natural gas) to finish the extraction of ammonia from the solution. The hot weak
solution, leaves from the bottom of the generator–rectifier column in state 1, It is thereafter in-
troduced again into the column to heat the GHX section of the generator, leaving in state 6, then
its pressure is reduced through a valve, to leave at state 31. The still hot weak solution enters the
GAX-absorber column from the upper part, where it is put in contact countercurrently against
the ammonia vapour current in order to absorb it.
Returning to the generator, the release of ammonia vapour is accomplished in three stages and
leaves the generator at state 12, entering the separation chamber where it is joined with the vapour
phase originating from the GAX-absorber column, resulting in state 13. The rising vapour current
leaves of the separation chamber and enters the rectifier, in which through heat removal and
partial condensation, water is removed, leaving at state 15 as high purity ammonia. In this way the
operation of the cycle is completed.
 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103 1095

3. Methodology for the energy analysis

The calculation sequence here presented has as purpose to obtain the operation conditions of
the Solar-GAX absorption system, required from its design.
The methodology that is described below uses the nomenclature and numbering of Fig. 2

• For the calculation of the thermodynamic properties of the saturated ammonia–water solutions
the correlations of P atek and Klomfar [12] were selected as they cover the region where the
Solar-GAX cycle works, are based on experimental data which they represent with high accu-
racy and are easy to incorporate in any computer code. Such equations are shown below:
X   ni
mi p0
T ðp; xÞ ¼ T0 ai ð1  xÞ ln ð1Þ
i
p

X   ni
mi =4 p0
T ðp; yÞ ¼ T0 ai ð1  yÞ ln ð2Þ
i
p
" #
X  p mi
ni =3
yðp; xÞ ¼ 1  exp lnð1  xÞ ai x ð3Þ
i
p0

X T mi
hL ðT ; xÞ ¼ h0 ai  1 xni ð4Þ
i
T 0

X  T
mi
hV ðT ; yÞ ¼ h0 ai 1  ð1  yÞni =4 ð5Þ
i
T0

The proposed methodology for the energy analysis of the system is presented in the following
diagrams. Fig. 3 is a general flow diagram of the simulator developed. Figs. 4a and b shows the
calculation sequence used in order to obtain the external currents’ characteristics as well as other
parameters of the cycle. The calculation sequence for the properties of the different internal
currents present in the generator–rectifier and GAX-absorber columns is shown in Fig. 4c. Finally
the iterative procedures that are realised in the methodology are illustrated in Figs. 4d and e. The
procedure in Fig. 4e utilises as an example section 1G of the generator–rectifier column shown in
Fig. 2.

4. Results and discussion

The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 and in Figs. 5–7. The absorption GAX unit
is designed to be utilised in extremely hot climates, therefore, it was established as design con-
ditions for the cooling air 40
C and 24% relative humidity. The COP obtained for the system was
of 0.86 and 1.86 in cooling and warming modes respectively. The main operation conditions of
the GAX cycle were, an evaporator temperature of 4
C, a condensation temperature of 50
C
1096 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

Fig. 3. Overall flow diagram of simulator developed for Solar-GAX cycle.

(a temperature lift of 46
C), the temperature of the strong ammonia solution at the exit of the
absorber of 50
C and a temperature of the weak ammonia solution leaving the generator of 200

C. Fig. 3 shows the variation of the COP for cooling and heating against temperature lift from
the base case (temperature lift 46
C) to a temperature lift of 55.5
C (Tev ¼ 5:5
C). A COP
value of 0.66 for cooling and 1.66 for heating are obtained at this extreme case. Fig. 4 shows how
the heat transferred in the main components of the GAX cycle, generator and absorber, vary with
temperature lift, increasing 51% and 43% respectively at the highest value of the temperature lift
compared with the base case.
The GAX effect is reduced with an increase of the temperature difference between the condenser
and the evaporator (cycle temperature lift) as it is shown in Fig. 5, this is due to a decrease in the
temperature overlap between absorber and generator as the absorber pressure and temperature is
reduced as the evaporator temperature is reduced. As in the air conditioning production the
temperature lifts required are small, the proposed GAX cycle with a lift of 46
C is an excellent
option with commercial possibilities. For a unit with cooling capacity of 10.55 kW, an internal
 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103 1097

energy integration of 16.9 kW is achieved, 37% more than the energy that is supplied in the
generator.
The absorber and generator are falling film heat exchange components, in which liquid and
vapour are put in contact in a countercurrent flow, resulting in different temperature and com-
position profiles throughout the column tubes. Some points of those profiles can be observed in
Table 1 and Fig. 2.
Inside the tubes, temperature, concentration and pressure gradients are present, which tend in
natural form to equilibrium. These gradients are observed between the bulk of the vapour current
and its interface with the liquid and between the bulk of the liquid current and its interface with
the vapour.
In the absorber, the temperature of the falling liquid film (absorbent solution) is higher than the
temperature of the rising vapour, due to its inlet conditions and to energy release in the interface

Fig. 4. (a,b) Calculation sequence for external currents and other system parameters, (c) calculation sequence for in-
ternal currents of the columns, (d) iterative procedure for the calculation of properties of current #18 and (e) iterative
procedure for properties of intenal currents.
1098 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

Fig. 4 (continued)

during the absorption process. The foregoing causes a heat flow from the liquid film towards the
vapour, increasing the temperature of the latter, therefore, the vapour has a temperature of 43
C
at entry and reaches values greater than 107
C in the last absorption stage (GAX section).
The vapour and the liquid compositions in the absorber column are initially in a chemical non-
equilibrium, both by the ammonia content, as well as by the water content in both phases. After a
certain contact time between the phases, they naturally tend towards equilibrium carrying out an
ammonia absorption and a water desorption processes, causing a decrease on the concentration
of the ammonia vapour as it ascends through the tubes, entering the column 99.4% NH3 and
decreases down to 75% percent ammonia by weight.
The model of Herbine and Perez-Blanco [13] also predicted the ammonia absorption and water
desorption processes in an ammonia–water bubbling absorber.
Observing Table 1 and Fig. 2, the temperature and concentration profiles in the different stages
of the generator, it can be seen that the liquid film temperature increases as it descends through
 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103 1099

Table 1
Thermodynamic properites of currents of Solar-GAX cycle
Current Phase T P xoy Flow h (kJ/kg) Liquid fraction
number (
C) (bar) (kg NH3 /kg sol.) (kg/min) (L=ðL þ VÞ)
1 L 200 20 0.0399 0.7981 839.61 1.0
2 L 152 20 0.2150 1.0541 514.27 1.0
3 V 152 20 0.7612 0.2559 1831.12 0.0
4 L 139 20 0.2701 1.1194 431.89 1.0
5 V 139 20 0.8419 0.3213 1711.87 0.0
6 L 123 20 0.0399 0.7981 487.78 1.0
7 L/V 117 20 0.4315 1.3539 447.74 0.88
8 V 117 20 0.9276 0.1564 1566.14 0.0
9 L 117 20 0.3667 1.1976 301.71 1.0
10 L 117 20 0.3667 1.2633 301.71 1.0
11 L 117 20 0.3667 0.0657 301.71 1.0
12 V 117 20 0.9275 0.4652 1566.19 0.0
13 V 117 20 0.9275 0.6215 1566.18 0.0
14 L 50 20 0.4315 0.000001 28.81 1.0
15 V 70 20 0.9939 0.5558 1380.53 0.0
16 L 50 20 0.9939 0.5558 234.51 1.0
17 L 18 20 0.9939 0.5558 77.07 1.0
18 L/V 4 5 0.9939 0.5558 77.07 0.94
19 V 8 5 0.99995 0.5289 1280.25 0.0
20 L 8 5 0.87426 0.0268 54.79 1.0
21 L/V 8 5 0.9939 0.5558 1215.78 0.048
22 V 43 5 0.9939 0.5558 1373.22 0.0
23 L 50 5 0.4315 1.3539 30.65 1.0
24 L 50 20 0.4315 1.3539 28.81 1.0
25 V 82 5 0.9222 0.2798 1543.42 0.0
26 L 82 5 0.2689 1.0779 163.27 1.0
27 L 50 20 0.4315 1.3539 28.81 1.0
28 L 97 20 0.4315 1.3539 195.54 1.0
29 V 107 5 0.7555 0.1547 1791.06 0.0
30 L 107 5 0.1561 0.9529 341.11 1.0
31 L 123 5 0.03987 0.7981 487.78 1.0
32 Air 40 87.687
33 Air 46 87.687
34 Water 16 105.41
35 Water 10 105.41
36 Air 40 101.765
37 Air 47 101.765
38 Oil, SE 160 5.572
39 Oil, SE 150 5.572
40 Oil, NG 225 23.755
41 Oil, NG 215 23.755
42 Air 40 17.860
43 Air 50 17.860
1100 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

Table 2
Summary of energy analysis of the GAX absorption system
Component Formula utilised Gains Losses IHE (kW)
(Equipment) (kW) (kW)
Generator: ðQGE  QRE Þ ¼ m6 h6 þ m15 h15  m7 h7  m14 h14
Unit 1G þ 2G QGE ¼ QNG þ QSE ¼ ð1 þ FCNÞ ðQGE  QRE Þ
Unit 1G (NG) QNG ¼ m3 h3 þ m1 h1  m2 h2 ¼ QGE  QSE 9.945
Unit 2G (SE) QSE ¼ m5 h5 þ m2 h2  m4 h4  m3 h3 ¼ ðrÞQGE 2.333 19% S.E.
Unit 3G (GHX) QGHX ¼ m1 ðh1  h6 Þ 4.680
Rectifier QRE ¼ QGE  Qneto ¼ QGE  ðQGE  QRE Þ 3.105
Absorber:
Unit 1 A QAB ¼ m22 h22 þ m31 h31 þ m23 WSP  m7 h7  m14 h14 9.147
Unit 2A (AHX) QAHX ¼ m27 ðh28  h27 Þ 5.062
Unit 3A (GAX) QGAX ¼ m7 ðh7  h28 Þ 5.691
Solution pump W ¼ ðm23 ðh24  h23 ÞÞ=g with g ¼ 0:5 0.083
Condenser QCO ¼ m15 ðh15  h16 Þ 10.616
Pre-cooler QPRE ¼ m16 ðh16  h17 Þ ¼ m21 ðh22  h21 Þ 1.458
Evaporator QEV ¼ m17 ðh21  h17 Þ ¼ m18 ðh21  h18 Þ 10.548
Absorber fan Wfan;AB ¼ Wt;AB =gfan 0.266
Wt ¼ ðmair =qÞDP ¼ G DP
Condensar fan Wfan;CO ¼ Wt;CO =gfan 0.267
Rectifier fan Wfan;RE ¼ Wt;RE =gfan 0.016
Total: Solar-GAX cycle (without fans) 22.909 22.868 16.891
Coefficients of performance:
COPcooling 0.86 Cooling mode
COPcooling;total 0.82 Including energy of
electric motors.
COPheating 1.86 Heating mode
Circulation ratio (CR) Flow ratio (FR ¼ CR þ 1)
Mass flow ratios
GAX cycle 1.436 2.436
Basic cycle 5.345 6.345
73% less 62% less

the tubes, while the vapour temperature diminishes reduces as it ascends. The concentration
profiles have an opposite behaviour to that of temperature, This type of equipment works in the
same form than a distillation tower.
As the falling film equipment works very well with small temperature differences, the approach
temperatures of the system currents were fixed at range that goes from 6 to 67
C, the most critical
points being at the final end of the generator section being heated by the solution (GHX) (6
C)
and at one end of the evaporator (6
C).
The mass flows of the GAX cycle were compared with those of a basic cycle, resulting 73% and
62% less for the circulation (LR) and the flow ratio (FR) respectively.
Author’s note––A diskette with the simulator is available for those interested without charge by
way of the author: Nicol as Vel
azquez nvl@cie.unam.mx
 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103 1101

Fig. 5. Variation of COP with temperature lift.

Fig. 6. Heat transfered in the main components of the Solar-GAX cycle.

5. Conclusions

The methodology here proposed allows in a relative simple way, to study the operative per-
formance of a Solar-GAX cycle and to find the best working conditions for a particular design.
The results obtained in the numerical simulation show that it is possible to utilise a hybrid
source of energy in an advanced absorption cycle, incorporating the best conventional energy
option from an economic and ecological point of view (as natural gas) with a source of renewable
energy as solar thermal energy. The proposed Solar-GAX cycle has a great potential if utilised for
space air-conditioning, due to its flexibility in utilising different sources of energy, in hybrid form
or 100% solar, resulting in lower operation costs and ecological repercussions.
The decrease in the efficiency of the Solar-GAX cycle being air cooled in the absorber con-
denser and rectifier, was not severe, even though air at 40
C and 24% relative humidity was
1102 N. Velazquez, R. Best / Applied Thermal Engineering 22 (2002) 1089–1103

Fig. 7. Internal heat exchange in Solar-GAX cycle.

considered. A COP of 0.86 for cooling and 1.86 for heating together with a circulation ration of
1.43 shows that it can be an interesting option considering that the problems and costs related to
the operation of a cooling tower are eliminated.
Analysing the performance of the system it can be concluded that using air as a cooling source
and as the chilled water temperature requirements are fulfilled, the system should operate a the
lowest temperature lift possible.
The efficiency of the Solar-GAX system is reduced with an increase in the temperature dif-
ference between condenser and evaporator. For air conditioning purposes where small temper-
ature lifts are required, the proposed cycle with a temperature lift of 46
C is an excellent option.
For a unit with a cooling capacity of 10.6 kW an internal energy integration of 16.9 kW is ob-
tained.
It has been demonstrated that incorporating the rectifier to the generator and the coldest
section of the generator (GAX-generator) to the absorber, a more compact unit with high effi-
ciency is obtained.

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