An energy recovery pump-motor including an energy recovery pump and a mixed-phase motor for replacing conventional valves in fluid circuits such as an absorption refrigeration system. The energy recovery pump pressurizes a first liquid by recovering flow work energy from a second liquid. The mixed-phase motor recovers flow work energy and expansion energy from a high pressure, saturated third liquid and transfers the energy along a shaft to the pump to aid in pressurizing the first liquid. The energy recovery pump is shown in a single effect absorption refrigeration system, while the pump-motor is shown in both single effect and double effect systems.