Waste heat utilization from the electric arc process for absorption refrigeration in Nepal

Abstract

Energy costs constrain Nepalese agriculture and fertilizer usage in particular. The electric arc process may loosen this constraint. This process produces large quantities of waste heat. Ammonia absorption refrigeration requires high-grade heat input. An energy balance model was developed for the electric arc and ammonia absorption refrigeration systems. Laboratory experimentation combined these two complementary technologies, and the energy balance model was applied in providing an explanation of system performance. Economic analysis examined the feasibility of implementing such a combined technology in Nepal. This analysis concluded that it is more feasible to use waste heat from the electric arc system in traditional Nepalese processes which normally consume large quantities of fuelwood than for refrigeration purposes.