Abstract: An absorption heat pump achieves improved efficiency by lowering the low cycle temperature of the circulation fluid. This is accomplished by adding a crystallization-inhibiting compound to the circulation fluid which substantially depresses the temperature at which the absorbent salt in the fluid begins to crystallize.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an electronic component is cooled by using one or more containers of liquid and sorbent that transfer heat from the component to the fluid in the well bore. According to the present invention, a sorption cooling and heating system is provided for use in a well, such as down hole tool which is in a drill string through which a drilling fluid flows, or in a down hole tool, which is on a wire line. This cooling system comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, the sorption cooler comprising a water supply adjacent to a sensor or electronics to be cooled; a Dewar flask lined with phase change material surrounding the electronics/sensor and liquid supply; a vapor passage for transferring vapor from the water supply; and a sorbent in thermal contact with the housing for receiving and adsorbing the water vapor from the vapor passage and transferring the heat from the sorbed water vapor through the housing to the drilling fluid or well bore.

Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.

Abstract: A refrigerant conditioning system for cleansing debris and lubricants from refrigerants.

Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption apparatus comprising an absorber assembly, a generator assembly, a condenser and an evaporator, wherein the absorber assembly comprises an absorber and a GAX absorber heat exchanger and wherein a strong liquor absorption solution is partially vaporized in the GAX absorber heat exchanger to form a two-phase vapor/liquor mixture, the apparatus including piping for directing separate vapor and liquid streams from the absorber assembly into the generator assembly and introducing the vapor stream into the generator assembly at a location where the composition is substantially the same as the vapor stream.

Abstract: An absorption type refrigerating apparatus is provided which is capable of not discharging to the outside but, instead, oxidizes hydrogen gas generated therein to water through reaction with metal oxide to inhibit a reduction of the operational efficiency. The hydrogen gas saved in the condenser 9 is brought in direct contact with a metal oxide of the hydrogen gas removing module 93 provided in the condenser 9. This causes the reducing reaction of the metal oxide to transform the hydrogen gas to water. The module 93 of a reduction unit is accommodated in the condenser 9 thus eliminating the need of a conventional sealing structure where the reduction unit is provided outside and connected by a conduit to the condenser 9. The reducing reaction can favorably be promoted by the heat of a refrigerant vapor introduced into the condenser 9 through its inlet 94.

Abstract: An auxiliary active heating and air conditioning system for a passenger area of a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger in the passenger area piped to receive conditioned heat transfer fluid, a sorption cooling system located outside the passenger area and having first and second reactors, each reactor containing a metal salt or a complex compound formed by absorbing a polar gas on a metal salt comprising a halide, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, perchlorate, sulfate or sulfite of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin or aluminum, or sodium borofluoride or a double metal halide, the reactors having a heat transfer section for thermally exposing a heat transfer fluid and/or condensed polar gas refrigerant in heat exchange communication with the metal salt or said complex compound, a refrigerant loop including an evaporator piped to deliver conditioned heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger during air conditioning, a heater for heating heat transfer fluid, and a valve ass

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator and a vehicle wherein the vehicle inside space is reliably sealed from an air duct servicing a gas burner for the absorption refrigerator. At least one cutout (28, 30) is provided at the housing edge between a housing top side (6) and a housing rear panel (8), the lines (10 through 24) passing through this cutout, from the housing top side (6) to the housing rear panel (8), without projecting above the housing at said edge (4). Accordingly the lines passing over the housing edge will not project above the housing dimensions at said edge because all lines in that zone run virtually inside the housing on account of said cutout.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator having three or four-stage regenerators connected in series wherein a prescribed ratio of concentrated absorption fluid is fed to the high-temperature regenerator by a part of the concentrated absorption fluid directly returned to the absorber.

Abstract: In a two-stage absorption heating and cooling system with refrigerant storage apparatus for converting from a cooling to a heating mode of operation, provision is made to position the refrigerant storage tank in a location vertically above the condenser, and the tank is filled with refrigerant without the use of a pump. This is accomplished by fluidly interconnecting the high-temperature generator directly with the refrigerant storage tank such that after the refrigerant vapor from a high temperature generator is condensed in the low temperature generator, the pressure difference between the high temperature generator and the refrigerant storage tank causes the refrigerant condensate to flow to the refrigerant storage tank. A valve is provided to selectively drain the refrigerant from the storage tank to an evaporator sump when changing from a cooling to a heating mode of operation.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator having three or four-stage regenerators connected in series wherein a prescribed ratio of concentrated absorption fluid is fed to the high-temperature regenerator by a part of the concentrated absorption fluid directly returned to the absorber.

Abstract: An absorption system powered by low temperature heat for producing at least one of refrigeration and power is disclosed, wherein a low-pressure drop heat reclaimer 1 reclaims heat from the source into a heating agent, which in turn supplies heat to the absorption cycle desorber 5 via internal coils 7. The extra temperature differential normally present in closed cycle heating systems is avoided by using the absorption working fluid as the heating agent, in an integrated system.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor (33) protected from water vapor by a membrane (35) indicates increases in hydrogen concentrations which are indicative of a leak in an absorption chiller (13). A helium detector (43), protected from water vapor and liquid water by a membrane (44) and a vapor trap (46), senses the presence of helium from a spray (40) to locate the position of leaks. A hydrogen removing cell (47) is tested by monitoring the variation with time of the hydrogen concentration before and after the cell is rendered inoperative.

Abstract: In a regenerator for an absorption refrigerating machine which uses combustion gas as a heat source, the regenerator comprises a plurality of drum shells provided in a body casing of the regenerator, each drum shell has a solution inlet provided in a shell part of the drum shell, a solution outlet having an overflow structure and provided in the shell part at a position lower than the solution inlet, a vapor outlet provided in the shell part at a position higher than the solution inlet, a multiplicity of heat transfer fins provided on an outer periphery of a shell part of the drum shell and a circulation guide provided along an inner periphery of the shell part, the plurality of drum shells may be arranged in a side by side parallel and/or in an up and down series relationship to increase the capacity of the regenerator by proportional design.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorption refrigeration machine using the Platen-Munters system and comprising a generator (7) for evaporating a refrigerant in a solvent, a solvent separator (2) in which the solvent is separated from the refrigerant; a condenser (3) for liquefying the refrigerant; an evaporator (4) in which the refrigerant is evaporated using a dry gas while beeing cooled; possibly a first gas heat exchanger (6); and an absorber (5) in which the evaporated refrigerant is added to the depleted mixture of refrigerant and solvent which is then again evaporated in the generator (7). The output of the evaporator (4) or the output of the first gas heat exchanger (6) which is possibly positioned downstream of the evaporator (4) and the output of the generator (7) discharge into a bypass (8) connected to the absorber (5).

Abstract: In an absorption chiller/absorption chiller-heater wherein a pressure rise preventing means such as a safety valve, rapture disk or breakable plate is disposed in a high temperature regenerator or in the refrigerant vapor piping from the high temperature regenerator, with the discharge opening of the pressure rise preventing means being open to the atmosphere, in order to prevent the pressure rise in the high temperature regenerator, the discharge opening of safety valve is connected to low pressure units such as the low temperature regenerator through pressure relief piping so that, when the safety valve is activated, the refrigerant vapor and absorption solution of the high pressure side will be discharged to low pressure units such as the low temperature regenerator designed so as to generally maintain a vacuum therein during operation.

Abstract: A family of organometallic liquid absorbents that can have their thermophysical properties tailored for specific applications. Processes to manufacture these liquid absorbents and methods to optimize their thermodynamic properties are included. These organometallic liquid absorbents are used in compressor driven and heat driven heat pumps (50) and cryocoolers (99). With optimum thermodynamic properties, these heat pumps systems are highly efficient. These liquid absorbents are not damaging to the environment, are non-toxic and non-corrosive and are applicable to environmentally clean and highly efficient heat pumps, refrigerators, air conditioners, process heating and cooling systems, electronics cooling systems, cryocoolers and gas separation processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an airconditioning system which uses a plurality of absorption chiller-cells, for refrigerating an antifreeze fluid that is circulated through fan-coil units of an airconditioning system. The anti-freeze fluid passes through refrigerant evaporators in each cell structure in a consecutive order for lowering the temperature of the antifreeze fluid gradually. More particularly, it relates to an absorption chiller-cell system having a plurality of evaporators employing multi-refrigerant circulation circuits in an absorption cycle to produce sufficient refrigerant for the airconditioning system. The invention enables the physical size of the system to be relatively small, so that the system can replace conventional electric airconditioning units for home applications.

Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption apparatus generator assembly comprising a boiler section, a solution-heated-desorber section, and adiabatic desorber or GAX desorber section, and a rectifier section, incorporates a plurality of columns, each column comprising one or more of the sections, with the columns arranged so that the lowest end of a first column is lower than the top end of a second column, and uses one or more eductors driven by a feed stream from the absorber for pumping liquid refrigerant from the bottom of a lower temperature column to the top of the next hotter column.

Abstract: A sorption cooler for cooling substances in a vessel (4) by means of a sorption agent (11) within a sorption agent vessel (10), which in connected via a vapor valve (9) to an evaporator (10) for generation of working agent vapor, and where a part of the outer wall (1) of the vessel (4) is in good thermal contact with a working agent storage material (2) and at least this part of the outer wall (1) of vessel (4) is at the same time a part of the boundary surface (5) of the evaporator (8).

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorption heat pump cycle is disclosed using a high pressure stage and a super-critical cooling stage to provide a non-toxic system. Using carbon dioxide gas as the working fluid in the system, the present invention desorbs the CO2 from an absorbent and cools the gas in the super-critical state to deliver heat thereby. The cooled CO2 gas is then expanded thereby providing cooling and is returned to an absorber for further cycling. Strategic use of heat exchangers can increase the efficiency and performance of the system.

Abstract: An absorption provided with a refrigerant management method and apparatus for temporarily storing liquid refrigerant during cooling mode operation and releasing refrigerant to the evaporator sump as needed to prevent refrigerant pump cavitation during periods of part load operation and causing dilution of solution in the absorber when the system is shut down. The refrigerant is stored in a tank located in the evaporator, with the tank fluidly communicating with the evaporator sump both by way of a side opening in the tank and by way of overflowing the tank. Refrigerant replenishment to the tank occurs during normal operation either by refrigerant flow from the condenser or by way of a bleed line from the refrigerant pump.

Abstract: An absorption chiller includes a vertically split absorber section the upper portion of which is a high temperature absorber and the lower portion of which is a low temperature absorber. Weak solution is pumped in parallel from the absorber to both a low temperature generator and a high temperature generator. The low temperature generator is disposed vertically above the high temperature generator. Concentrated solution flows, in parallel, from the low temperature generator to the low temperature absorber and from the high temperature generator to the high temperature absorber.

Abstract: A regenerator for use in an ammonia absorption refrigerator comprises a heater for heating an ammonia aqueous solution and a rectifying column for enriching ammonia in an ammonia solution-vapor mixture obtained in and introduced from the heater, wherein the heater comprises a heater body having a heating chamber, a burner of lean pre-mixture combustion type disposed in a lower portion of the heating chamber, and a heat transfer tube bundle provided in a meandering arrangement above the burner within the heating chamber, the heat transfer tube bundle having an inlet and an outlet which are respectively connected to lower portions of the rectifying column via transfer pipes.

Abstract: A wastewater aerating system that conditions air inlet to a blower of the system to adjust the condition of air discharged into the wastewater so as to increase the flocculation rate of suspended solids from the wastewater. The wastewater aeration system includes a conduit having an outlet submerged within a bath of wastewater to be treated, an air duct inlet in flow communication with a source of ambient air, a blower operable to cause air to pass through the air duct and through the conduit to be output through the conduit outlet into the bath of wastewater, and at least one heat exchanger installed in the air duct and adapted to condition, such as condense its vapor and sensibly cool, the air passing through the air duct. A method of treating a bath of wastewater is also disclosed.

Abstract: An operation method of an absorption heat pump is disclosed. This method includes a step for measuring a temperature of a refrigerant vapor passed through the above-described rectification process, a step for comparing the measured temperature and a previously set temperature and estimating a refrigerant density passed through the rectification process, and a step for controlling a heat exchange amount between a rich solution and a refrigerant vapor during the rectification process based on the estimated refrigerant density for thereby obtaining a high purity and density of a refrigerant vapor and a high and stable COP even when a load and an outdoor temperature are changed by changing the amount of a heat exchange performed by a rectifier in accordance with the density of a refrigerant estimated by a temperature of a refrigerant vapor flown into a condenser.

Abstract: A salt water desalinating device, characterized by having an absorption refrigerating machine using a first dilute salt water and concentrated salt water and characterized in that a second dilute salt water to be desalinated is evaporated by heat flowing out from the high-temperature heat source of the absorption refrigerating machine and vapor evaporated from the second dilute salt water is condensed by heat to be absorbed to a refrigeration source. A plurality of the absorption refrigerating machines may be series-connected in a series arrangement.

Abstract: In a chemical heat pump a substance is used which in an efficient way interacts with a volatile liquid such as water. The substance is selected considering among other things the magnitude of its &Dgr;T and its energy content so that the heat pump becomes suited for converting low grade heat energy such as solar energy to cooling for airconditioning and also for a simultaneous production of heat for example for use as hot tap water in houses. The heat pump can also be used in a refrigerating box. Suitable substances comprise barium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, strontium bromide and cobalt chloride. The substance is applied as a layer (23) on the surface of a heat conducting wall (22) by applying a slurry-like mixture of the substance with the liquid when being vibrated to the wall between heat conducting flanges 25). The mixture is dried under a vacuum and is heated and is simultaneously compressed by applying an exterior pressing force.

Abstract: A two-stage absorption refrigerating apparatus includes an integrated drum in which a low-pressure evaporator and a low-pressure absorber are arranged in an upper part and a high-pressure evaporator and a high-pressure absorber are arranged in a lower part. Uncondensed gas resulted in a high-temperature generator and elsewhere successively moves toward a low-pressure side along with a circulation of refrigerant and solution. The uncondensed gas deposited in the high-pressure absorber is extracted by bleeding device, and the uncondensed gas deposited in the low-pressure absorber is extracted by an ejector. The extracted uncondensed gas is stored into a gas storage tank via a gas-liquid separator. A valve is provided on the gas storage tank.

Abstract: The rate of water vapor sorption of an absorption cycle cooling and/or heating system using an aqueous alkali metal halide solution as the working fluid is increased by adding to the fluid an effective additive amount of at least 2 parts per million of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic ketone or aldehyde capable of increasing the rate of water vapor absorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a triple-effect absorption chiller with vapor compression units, where one or more vapor compressors are connected to GM, GH, or evaporator of a conventional chiller, to compress refrigerant vapor from the said generators or evaporator, thereby lowering the GH temperature to a preferable range of below 170° C. The triple-effect absorption chiller of the present invention can be practically applied for lowering the temperature of GH, without the corrosion due to the high temperature of GH.

Abstract: A mass and heat transfer device uses a substantially vertical surface to separating a first fluid space from a second fluid space with the first fluid space containing a downward flowing liquid in at least a partially flooded state and an upward flowing gas contained at least partially within the downward flowing liquid. A fluid distribution surface with one or more apertures is provided within the first fluid space with the apertures controlling the downward passage and distribution of the downward flowing liquid and the upward passage and distribution of the upward flowing gas. A heat transfer fluid is used in the second fluid space for heat transfer with fluids in the first fluid space. The fluid distribution surface can be used in a horizontal, vertical or angled position and in annular, cylindrical, and hexahedral forms.

Abstract: Single loop, triple-effect absorption refrigeration systems are disclosed. These systems include an evaporator, absorber, and three generator and condenser pairs. Each generator is operatively connected to its paired condenser. Double-condenser coupling provides improved system thermal efficiency. Further improvements in thermal efficiency are achieved by incorporating a condensate-to-solution sensible heat exchanger.

Abstract: An absorption heat pump and controlling methods thereof for utilizing exhaust heat to obtain high- and low-temperature fluids.

Abstract: A heat pump in which there are provided two separate but mutually interacting and communicating absorption devices, in which in the evaporator of the first device a liquid is present having a low freezing point such as to be able to operate as a heat pump recovering heat from an external fluid having a temperature even of 0° C. or less.

Abstract: The generator of an absortion heat pump is consructed in the form of a vortex chamber. The absorbent liquid solution, with a high concentration of refrigerant, is tangentially injected into a vortex chamber wherein the rotational velocity is significantly increased toward the center by reason of the conservative of rotational momentum, and as a result, pressure within the central portion of the vortex chamber is reduced such that the solution at a lower temperature than normally required in conventional absorption heat pump generators. The evolved swirling refrigerant vapor will rise and leave the first vortex chamber through a central opening to flow, in one chamber which is directly above the first vortex chamber.

Abstract: A refrigerant control apparatus for use in an absorption heating and cooling system of the type which uses a refrigerant and an absorbent, and which includes a generator, a condenser, an absorber and an evaporator having an evaporator sump. The control apparatus includes a reservoir, disposed in condensate collecting relationship to the condenser, and in refrigerant draining relationship to the evaporator. The reservoir has a storage capacity sufficient to store, during operation in the cooling mode, a quantity of refrigerant large enough to reduce the steady state concentration of the operating solution from a first, relatively high concentration used in the cooling mode to a second, relatively low concentration used the heating mode, and includes an overflow structure that allows refrigerant to overflow into the evaporator when the reservoir is filled.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator includes a high temperature regenerator for heating a water solution including a halogen compound to generate steam. An oxide film having thickness of 0.02-5.0 &mgr;m, one of the colors blue, purple and gray, or a hydroxyl group is formed on a surface of at least one of the high temperature regenerators and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An absorption water heater/chiller using lithium bromide as an absorbent and water as a refrigerant, and a high temperature regenerator therefor. The high temperature regenerator is provided with a combustion chamber defined by an inner tube (2) on the side of a blowout port of a burner (4B), from which a combustion gas is blown out. A solution is received in a liquid chamber, which extends on upper and lower sides of the combustion chamber and is defined by an outer tube (1). A refrigerant steam outflow passage (8) is formed in an upper portion of the outer tube, and gas discharge passages (13, 14) are formed at an end portion of the combustion chamber opposed to the burner. A plurality of solution tubes (3) providing communication between the liquid chamber portions on the upper and lower sides of the combustion chamber extend through the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In an absorption refrigerating apparatus (18) the pump pipe (42) is made of a material, which is more corrosion resistant to the working medium than the material of the rest of the apparatus. In order to prevent galvanic corrosion in the boiler the pump pipe (42) can be electrically insulated (72, 74) from the rest of the boiler.

Abstract: An auxiliary active heating and air conditioning system for a passenger area of a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger in the passenger area piped to receive conditioned heat transfer fluid, a sorption cooling system located outside the passenger area and having first and second reactors, each reactor containing a metal salt or a complex compound formed by absorbing a polar gas on a metal salt comprising a halide, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, perchlorate, sulfate or sulfite of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin or aluminum, or sodium borofluoride or a double metal halide, the reactors having a heat transfer section for thermally exposing a heat transfer fluid and/or condensed polar gas refrigerant in heat exchange communication with the metal salt or said complex compound, a refrigerant loop including an evaporator piped to deliver conditioned heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger during air conditioning, a heater for heating heat transfer fluid, and a valve ass

Abstract: A heat exchanging method and apparatus for improving heat transfer in a cooling system. Specifically, the heat exchanging method and apparatus is an absorption chiller that comprises a heat transfer device having one heat pipe partially disposed within a second heat pipe, where the juncture of the coupled heat pipes promotes absorption of a vapor into a working solution. The juncture of the coupled heat pipes is disposed within a condenser section such that two processes, condensation and absorption of the absorption chiller are efficiently implemented within a single section or chamber.

Abstract: A high temperature regenerator for an absorption water cooling and heating machine for extracting steam as coolant by heating and condensing a dilute solution of lithium bromide. An inner casing (2) defines therein a combustion chamber (11B) on the blow out port side of a burner for blowing out combustion gas. The solution is filled in liquid chambers defined in an outer casing (1) above and below the combustion chamber. A coolant vapor outlet passage (8) is defined in the upper part of the outer casing, and gas exhaust passages (13, 14) are defined in the combustion chamber on a side remote from the burner. A plurality of solution tubes 3 communicated with the liquid chambers above and below the combustion chamber are extended through he combustion chamber. The plurality of solution tubes are plane tubes having fins (16) at their side surfaces. The fins are provided only on the upstream side.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator includes a high temperature regenerator for heating a water solution including a halogen compound to generate steam. An oxide film having thickness of 0.02-5.0 &mgr;m, one of the colors blue, purple and gray, or a hydroxyl group is formed on a surface of at least one of the high temperature regenerators and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An auxiliary thermal storage heating and air conditioning system having an output for selectively delivering warm and cool air to the passenger area of a motor vehicle incorporates a reactor containing a metal salt or a complex compound formed by absorbing a polar gas refrigerant on a metal salt comprising a halide, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, perchlorate, sulfate or sulfite of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin or aluminum, or sodium borofluoride or a double metal halide. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor contains a sorbent/substrate composition comprising a substrate material inert to the polar gas and incorporating the salt or the complex compound. One embodiment utilizes apparatus having a heat exchanger which selectively functions as an evaporator for a cooling mode and a condenser for a heating mode, and inside and outside coils for transferring system generated thermal energy.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat pump/engine system having a water/brine flash evaporator in fluid communication with a first air/brine heat exchanger, a brine condenser in fluid communication with a second air/brine heat exchanger, and a vapor compressor/turbine connected on a fluid conduit leading from the flash evaporator to the brine condenser. Heat/pump methods are also provided herein.

Abstract: An absorption type refrigerating apparatus is provided capable of not discharging to the outside but oxidizing hydrogen gas generated therein to water through reaction with metal oxide to inhibit declination of the operational efficiency. The hydrogen gas saved in the condenser 9 is brought in direct contact with a metal oxide of the hydrogen gas removing module 93 provided in the condenser 9. This causes the reducing reaction of the metal oxide to turn the hydrogen gas to water. The module 93 or a reduction unit is accommodated in the condenser 9 thus eliminating the need of a conventional sealing structure where the reduction unit is provided outside and connected by a conduit to the condenser 9. The reducing reaction can favorably be promoted by the heat of a refrigerant vapor introduced into the condenser 9 through its inlet 94.

Abstract: In an absorption type chiller heater, a generator is heated in order to heat a refrigerant-mixed solution to generate refrigerant vapor. This heating is generally carried out by causing high-temperature combustion gas to flow in contact with heat transfer fins, which are provided on the periphery of the generator. The aforesaid burner uses a burner of liquid-fuel combustion structure to produce a longer flame as compared to that of a gas burner. The extremity of the lengthened flame coming into contact with the heat transfer fins can cause problems such that the fins are locally overheated to burn out. In this view, the present invention arranges a flame buffer plate between the liquid fuel burner and the heat transfer fins and provides a curved flame channel. This forms a curved flame, whereby the flame, despite of its great length, is kept from its extremity coming into contact with the heat transfer fins.

Abstract: A rotary heat pump 10 comprises a vapor generator 20, a condenser 24/34, an evaporator 42 and an absorber 40 interconnected to provide cyclic fluid flow paths for a volatile fluid component and an absorbent fluid therefor. To allow operation of the pump close to the crystallisation boundary the pump includes crystallisation control means which cause the temperature of the fluid in the region prone to crystallisation to be raised when the onset of crystallisation is detected. For example the pressure increase upstream of a crystallisation site may cause warm fluid to be diverted directly or indirectly to increase the fluid temperature at the crystallisation site.

Abstract: A dilution control apparatus for use in an absorption cooling system of the type which uses a refrigerant and an absorbent, and which includes a generator, a condenser having a condenser sump, an absorber having an absorber sump, and an evaporator having an evaporator sump. At least one refrigerant reservoir is arranged to receive refrigerant condensing within the condenser, and to store a quantity of refrigerant which, if released into the system during the dilution phase of the system shutdown process, is sufficient to lower the concentration of the refrigerant-absorbent solution to a concentration low enough to prevent crystals from forming in the absorber after the shutdown process has been completed. Refrigerant is released from the at least one refrigerant reservoir to the evaporator sump at a variable rate, through a first refrigerant releasing path, when the system operates under a cooling load that fluctuates with time.