6. Conclusion

Ammonia-water absorption machines are reliable and robust, and can withstand both hot and cold climates.

In a context of environmental concerns, these machines offer a number of advantages:

• they do not affect the ozone layer;

• the global warming potential (GWP) of ammonia is zero.

As ammonia is a toxic and slightly flammable fluid, units containing more than 2.5 kg of ammonia are subject to rules governing their installation in establishments open to the public. Air-source heat pumps with an output of less than 70 kW (containing less than 11 kg of ammonia) must be located in the open air, while ground-source heat pumps may be located indoors in an area with authorized access only. Higher-powered industrial refrigeration units must comply with standard...