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Outlook
The global market for absorption chillers is estimated at US$763.27 million for 2013. Growing at a
compounded annual rate of 3.21% over the analysis period 2010-2018, the market is likely to reach
US$921.80 million by 2018.
Absorption Chillers Face Stiff Competition from Other Popular Chiller Categories
Despite the huge opportunities for growth, the absorption chillers continue to battle it out with other
competing chiller technologies such as screw, reciprocating, scroll and centrifugal chiller systems for
market share. As conventional chiller technologies have already gained considerable penetration in
commercial and industrial markets and enjoy significant success in implementations, they are not
likely to be replaced with new absorption chillers very soon, thus posing major hindrance to the
expansion of the absorption chillers market. Although absorption chillers make strong sense for
energy conservation and environmental reasons, they however are yet to achieve mass market
adoption in industrial and commercial applications. Absorption chillers suffer from perceived
drawbacks such as lower efficiency rates, high ownership costs, and large space requirements.
Absorption chillers are perceived to be less efficient than compressor driven chillers given that they
use water as a refrigerant, which is less efficient as a refrigerant than fluorocarbon based
refrigerants. This lower efficiency mandates larger components, making absorption chillers larger
and more space consuming than electric chillers of same capacity. Also, absorption chillers need
dedicated space for installation and maintenance (volume of steam absorption chillers is 0.2 m3 per
KW). Therefore, any space constrains or structural limitations (especially in small buildings) can
become an impediment for use of absorption chillers. Although absorption chillers bring
considerable savings on electricity costs in the long run, they are highly expensive upfront, which
make most of the commercial and industrial consumers prefer less expensive products. Absorption
chillers also could not overshadow other chiller technologies over the years, given that most of
these models that came into the market were designed for use in large scale industrial and
commercial applications, thus limiting their adoption in light commercial and residential structures.
Additionally, given that water is the most important component for functioning of absorption chiller,
water supply shortages in certain areas is a major hindrance to its widespread adoption.
integrating certain add on features such as microprocessors and sophisticated lamps for enhancing
the convenience benefits of these chiller machines. Most of the absorption chiller units sold today
use automatic purge systems that eliminate the need for manual purging. Not only has the
integration of automatic purging systems reduced risk of corrosion, integration of microprocessor
solid state controls and concentration sensing has significantly enhanced control system response
times and lowered chances of crystallization. Producers are also integrating absorption chillers with
mass spectrometers and LEP lamp to indicate the status of mechanic operation/shutdown along
with ensuring stringent quality control that would improve efficiency and convenience benefits
associated with absorption chillers.
Technological advancements that would enhance system technology, basic materials and
components would provide growth opportunities by lowering costs and ramping up performance.
Increasing developments in the absorption chillers market is likely to lower costs of the absorption
chiller unit leading to its widespread adoption and rapid upgradations.
Despite potential in store, compact and small capacity absorption chillers market continues to face
pressing challenges. The typically high investment cost, limited number of manufacturers focusing
on these products, and need for additional equipment for its functioning are especially proving to be
a key bottleneck for its mass adoption. Additionally, lack of adequate evaluation standards, test
procedures and best practice guides for the evaluation of these chilling systems are likely to restrict
growth of absorption chillers market.
Other initiatives
Other manufacturer initiatives that would enhance the demand for absorption chillers include:
Quantifying and promoting economic and environmental benefits of absorption cooling
implementations through seminars, workshops, conferences and publications.
Promoting various marketing strategies to augment share of the absorption chiller market.
Trigeneration
The major use of absorption chillers worldwide can be seen across various energy cascading
systems such as trigeneration plants. Trigeneration refers to the simultaneous production of cooling,
heat and electricity. This system combines various technologies such as IC engines, chillers, gas
turbines and fuel cells among others that together fulfill the requirements for cooling, heat and
power by achieving optimal utilization of energy. Trigeneration may also be referred to as CHCP
(Combine heat, cooling and power) or BCHP (Building cooling, heat and power).