As a quick answer: It will work where generator temperatures are greater than ambient (WB, if evaperator cooling is employed) by any amount greater than the difference between Ambient DB and the refrigeration Evaporating Temperature....
That is a quick calc and will leave some portion of the system working at a sub atmospheric pressure, which of course leads to some terrible heat transfer conditions, thus a very large condensing heat exchanger, if the heat rejection for the "weak" vapor is to the ambient.
The "weak" condenser will obviously be at positive pressure for PP-Equivalent condensing above 100 Deg. C.
With a lot of waste heat and a ready source of cooling water, they can be made to work at 130 Deg. C. waste heat temperature.
Economical? Scale will be a very large player in one designed for 130 Heat Source, and its still not going to be a very flexible system, would need a lot of controls. Or if you think about it. Another way would be a very small kerosene flame, Hydroxy Flame, Candle, Bio Diesel
Non-electric appliances such as a gas refrigerator / freezer are must-have items for "off-the-grid" sustainable living. When you're generating your own electricity, it's not cost effective to operate large "energy hog" conventional electric kitchen appliances. In order to keep your photovoltaic array and battery collection at a reasonable size, you'll need to buy an all-gas range, a gas hot water heater, and a non-electric refrigerator. Inverters and generators simply can't be run non-stop and expected to last for any length of time. Gas powered absorption cooling systems are very quiet and much more dependable than an electric refrigerator with no compressor or other moving parts to ever wear out. A tiny pilot light is all that's needed to keep your food cold without electricity!Statistics: Posted by Looking In — Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:05 am
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