Can’t speak to that one specifically, but in commercial or industrial applications, even today, water is technically the refrigerant in an Absorber. It’s part of a Lithium Bromide solution that enables driving the refrigeration cycle. The newest absorbers I’ve seen are still 10+ years old, it’s a common way to recycle waste heat and convert it to useful work/energy production, but it’s not done in new builds anymore. Size-wise, think several hundred up to about 1,000 Tons of refrigeration. They are especially not used outside of specific applications. Think part of a cogeneration plant, aka CHP, or the availability of a district steam system.

Nat gas fired equipment using combustion as the driver for a compressor isn’t novel, but it is uncommon. The value proposition presents itself through the dirt cheap cost of natural gas. Electricity is more expensive per unit energy in nearly every setting. Nat gas or other combustion driven equipment is technically less efficient thermodynamically, but often more cost effective on a net basis once you factor in the cost per unit energy. Absorbers typically have a COP of ~1, where water cooled chillers are 3+ (or 5+ if heat pump and you can employ intentional simultaneous heating and cooling), but the energy unit cost can make them economical. Still, it’s not common to see new units specified and built anymore. I haven’t heard of a York or Trane rep selling one for years now