Absorption refrigerator

A refrigerator that uses heat to circulate refrigerant through an absorbent, producing cooling without a mechanical compressor.

Vapor-absorption refrigeration: A refrigeration cycle that uses heat and an absorbent–refrigerant pair to produce cooling. The refrigerator operates through this broader thermodynamic cycle.
Ammonia: A colorless, pungent compound with formula NH₃, used as a refrigerant in some cooling systems. Its volatility and cooling performance make it the refrigerant in ammonia–water designs.
Gas refrigerator: A refrigerator powered by burning gas to supply heat to an absorption cycle. Gas-fired models are a familiar form of absorption refrigerator.
Vapor-compression refrigeration: A refrigeration cycle that uses a mechanical compressor to raise refrigerant pressure. It is the dominant alternative and usually uses electricity more efficiently.
Ammonia–water cycle: An absorption refrigeration cycle using ammonia as refrigerant and water as absorbent. It is a common working pair, especially in gas-fired and off-grid refrigerators.
Water: A chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen that is liquid under ordinary conditions. In ammonia–water refrigerators, water absorbs ammonia vapor.
Three-way refrigerator: A portable absorption refrigerator that can run on mains electricity, vehicle power, or gas. Its multiple energy inputs suit caravans and other settings without reliable mains power.
Thermoelectric cooling: A solid-state cooling method that uses electric current through dissimilar materials. It has no compressor or absorbent, but typically suits smaller cooling loads.
Generator (absorption refrigeration): The component where heat drives refrigerant vapor out of an absorbent solution. Its heat input initiates refrigerant circulation in the refrigerator.
Lithium bromide: An ionic compound used as an absorbent in water-based absorption cooling systems. It enables water-refrigerant cycles, though those systems generally serve chilled-water applications.

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