As is shown in the figure, the absorption chiller had three pressure level and 6 major components, i.e. the high pressure generator (1), the two low pressure generators (2)(3), the condenser (4), the left and right absorbers (5), the evaporator (6) and the solution heat exchanger (7). The absorption chiller had an extra low pressure generator comparing with conventional double effect absorption chiller. This extra generator worked for solar cooling, while the evaporator and absorbers were common.
In this case, the solar powered single effect refrigeration and gas fired double effect refrigeration could work both independently or simultaneously. Among the different working modes, the solar powered single effect refrigeration mode had the highest priority. When solar power temperature was not high enough or the solar cooling couldn't afford the cooling consumption, the gas fired double effect refrigeration was activated.