A high efficiency absorption heat pump cycle is disclosed using a high
pressure stage, a supercritical cooling stage, and a mechanical energy
extraction stage to provide a non-toxic combined heat, cooling, and
energy system. Using the preferred carbon dioxide gas with partially
miscible absorber fluids, including the preferred ionic liquids as the
working fluid in the system, the present invention desorbs the CO.sub.2
from an absorbent and cools the gas in the supercritical state to deliver
heat. The cooled CO.sub.2 gas is then expanded, preferably through an
expansion device transforming the expansion energy into mechanical energy
thereby providing cooling, heating temperature lift and electrical
energy, and is returned to an absorber for further cycling. Strategic use
of heat exchangers, preferably microchannel heat exchangers comprised of
nanoscale powders and thermal-hydraulic compressor/pump can further
increase the efficiency and performance of the system.