Absorption solution conditioner

An absorption apparatus that circulates a solution with a contaminant that includes copper oxide, wherein the solution has a varying degree of concentration of lithium bromide in water, the absorption apparatus comprising:

• a generator that vaporizes the water from the solution to produce a water vapor and a stronger solution;
• a condenser in fluid communication with the generator, the condenser condenses the water vapor to create a weak solution;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser, the evaporator receives the weak solution from the condenser and vaporizes the weak solution, thereby recreating the water vapor;
• an absorber in fluid communication with the evaporator and the generator, the absorber receives the water vapor from the evaporator, receives the stronger solution from the generator, and promotes the absorption of the water vapor into the stronger solution to create a first intermediate solution;
• a filter housing defining a filter inlet and a filter outlet;
• a first inlet line coupling the filter inlet to the evaporator, such that the first inlet line conveys the weak solution from the evaporator to the filter inlet;
• a second inlet line coupling the filter inlet to the absorber, such that the second inlet line conveys the first intermediate solution from the absorber to the filter inlet, whereby the weak solution mixes with the first intermediate solution to produce a second intermediate solution having a lower concentration than the first intermediate solution;
• a filter element disposed inside the filter housing, wherein the filter element has a porosity that is sufficiently fine to filter the contaminant from the solution upon the second intermediate solution passing through the filter element;
• a discharge line coupling the filter outlet to the generator to convey the second intermediate solution from the filter housing eventually back to the generator;
• and
• a plateable member disposed inside the filter housing, wherein the copper oxide becomes plated onto the plateable member.

A method of conditioning a solution of an absorption apparatus that includes a generator, a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, wherein the solution has a varying concentration of lithium bromide in water and includes a contaminant of copper oxide, the method comprising:

• providing a plateable member within a housing;
• circulating the solution through the housing;
• plating the copper oxide on the plateable member;
• and
• using at least one valve to periodically isolate the housing from the generator, the condenser, the evaporator and the absorber to facilitate the servicing of the plateable member.

Apparatus for conditioning a solution of an absorption apparatus wherein the solution has a varying concentration of lithium bromide in water and includes a contaminant of copper oxide, the apparatus comprising:

• a generator;
• a condenser;
• an evaporator;
• an absorber;
• a plateable member within a housing;
• means for circulating the solution through the housing;
• means for plating the copper oxide on the plateable member;
• and
• at least one valve to periodically isolate the housing from the generator, the condenser, the evaporator and the absorber to facilitate the servicing of the plateable member.