What is Lithium Bromide?

Lithium bromide is an efficient water vapor absorbent and humidity regulator. A 54%-55% concentration of lithium bromide is used as an absorbent refrigerant. In organic chemistry, it serves as a hydrochloric acid removal agent and an expanding agent for organic fibers such as wool and hair. In medicine, it is used as a hypnotic and sedative. It is also utilized in photography, as an electrolyte in certain high-performance batteries, and as a chemical reagent.

What is the Principle of Lithium Bromide?

The working principle of lithium bromide is as follows: lithium bromide acts as the solvent in a cycle that requires four chambers—evaporator, condenser, generator, and absorber. The evaporator and absorber operate at low pressure. In the evaporator, the solution absorbs heat to vaporize water, which then moves through a pipe to the absorber, where it is absorbed by the cold, concentrated solution. The solution then becomes diluted and is pumped into the generator, where it is heated by high-temperature steam (without direct contact). The solution vaporizes, and the water vapor flows to the condenser, releasing heat and condensing back into liquid as it throttles back to the evaporator.

This process continues, and compared to common mechanical compression cycles (such as household air conditioners and refrigerators), it consumes significantly less energy, mainly due to the solution pump, making it much more energy-efficient.

What is lithium bromide refrigerant?

Lithium bromide refrigerant is a water solution of lithium bromide (LiBr), formed by dissolving solid lithium bromide in water. It appears as a colorless, transparent liquid with a concentration of no less than 50% and a pH above 8. At normal temperature and pressure, the boiling point of water is 100°C, while that of lithium bromide is 1265°C. In lithium bromide absorption refrigeration systems, water serves as the refrigerant to produce cooling effects, while the lithium bromide solution acts as the absorbent, absorbing the refrigerant vapor generated during cooling. Thus, water and lithium bromide solution constitute the working pair in the refrigeration compressor.

What material is lithium bromide?

Lithium bromide is an efficient absorbent for water vapor and a humidity regulator, appearing as white crystals with a slightly bitter taste. It is hygroscopic and readily soluble in water and ethanol. Its aqueous solution is neutral or slightly alkaline to litmus paper. Hot concentrated solutions can dissolve cellulose. It is stable, resistant to degradation and decomposition in the atmosphere.

It can be used as an absorption refrigerant, a hydrochloric acid removal agent in organic chemistry, a fiber fluffer, and as a hypnotic and sedative in medicine.