Keith E. Herold started working in absorption refrigeration during his PhD studies at The Ohio State University, Columbus. This research focus was motivated by his work at Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, where he was involved in building and running custom absorption refrigeration cycles under contract to the US Department of Energy, among others. Subsequent to those experiences, he joined the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was the director of the Sorption Systems Consortium, which was funded by various companies. Dr. Herold has authored approximately 50 publications on the subject of absorption refrigeration and his group developed the vapor surfactant theory of mass transfer enhancement.

Reinhard Radermacher holds a diploma and PhD in physics from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and conducts research in heat transfer and working fluids for energy conversion systems-in particular, heat pumps, air conditioners, refrigeration systems, and integrated cooling heating and power systems. His work resulted in nearly 400 publications, as well as numerous invention records and patents. He has coauthored three books on absorption and vapor compression heat pumps. His research includes the development of software for the design and optimization of heat pumps and air conditioners, which is now in use at more than 60 companies worldwide.

Sanford A. Klein is an Emeritus Professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976, and has been a faculty member since 1977. He is the author or coauthor of more than 160 publications relating to energy systems. Professor Klein's current research interests are in thermodynamics, refrigeration, and solar energy applications. In addition, he has been actively involved in the development of engineering computer tools for both instruction and research and the author of the EES program.

Introduction. Absorption Cycle Fundamentals. Properties of Working Fluids. Thermodynamic Processes with Mixtures. Overview of Water/Lithium Bromide Technology. Single-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide Systems. Double-Effect Water/Lithium Bromide Technology. Advanced Water/Lithium Bromide Cycles. Single-Stage Ammonia/Water Systems. Two-Stage Ammonia/Water Systems. Generator/Absorber Heat Exchange Cycles. Diffusion-Absorption Cycle. Applications of Absorption Chillers and Heat Pumps. Appendices. References.