Surface tension of aqueous lithium bromide with heat/mass transfer enhancement additives: the effect of additive vapor transport

Heat/mass transfer enhancement additives used in aqueous lithium bromide absorption chillers are surfactants that lower the surface tension of the working fluid. It has long been speculated that the surface tension characteristics are a key to the enhancement but the point is controversial because some surfactants do not provide enhancement. In the present study, the surface tension of aqueous lithium bromide was measured, with and without various surfactant additives, using a drop weight method. Measurements were also made on water, with and without an additive. The results provide new information that clarifies several confusing aspects of the literature data. The major result is the realization that the surface tension of aqueous lithium bromide is strongly affected by the presence of surfactant vapor around the liquid interface. This apparently explains the large differences in surface tension data found in the literature since no previous studies mentioned the importance of the vapor conditions.