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A compact R32/DMF absorption refrigeration prototype driven by low-temperature waste heat for the decarbonization of data centers

Author

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  • Zhu, Haiping
  • Wang, Qidong
  • Zhang, Yuxuan
  • Gao, Peng
  • Wu, Weidong
  • Wang, Liwei

Abstract

The rising electricity consumption of data centers has underscored the significance of utilizing their waste heat to generate free cooling capacity, and absorption refrigeration is regarded as one of the most promising approaches. However, conventional one demands high driving temperatures (>85 °C) and occupies substantial space, rendering it incompatible with the waste heat (<70 °C) and high-density deployment requirements of data centers. To tackle these problems, for the first time, to our knowledge, a novel compact absorption refrigeration experimental prototype was developed based on the working pair R32/DMF, selected for its suitability in low-temperature driving heat sources. Furthermore, compact plate heat exchangers were employed for absorber, generator, and solution heat exchanger to minimize overall system footprint. At a driving temperature range of 50 °C–75 °C and an ambient temperature of 25 °C, the novel system achieved a maximum coefficient of performance of 0.57. By adjusting electronic expansion valve opening on the refrigerant side, the evaporating temperature was reduced to 6.4 °C. A case study was conducted in a date center, and its power usage effectiveness decreased from 1.60 to 1.18, corresponding to an 8.7 % decrease in total daily electricity consumption. The proposed prototype presents a novel technical solution for the decarbonization of data centers.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Haiping & Wang, Qidong & Zhang, Yuxuan & Gao, Peng & Wu, Weidong & Wang, Liwei, 2026. "A compact R32/DMF absorption refrigeration prototype driven by low-temperature waste heat for the decarbonization of data centers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:257:y:2026:i:c:s0960148125024255
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124761
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    References listed on IDEAS

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