Realistic minimum desorption temperatures and compressor sizing for activated carbon + HFC 134a adsorption coolers

Kandadai Srinivasan*, Pradip Dutta, Bidyut Baran Saha, Kim Choon NG, Madhu Prasad

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

A low thermal diffusivity of adsorption beds induces a large thermal gradient across cylindrical adsorbers used in adsorption cooling cycles. This reduces the concentration difference across which a thermal compressor operates. Slow adsorption kinetics in conjunction with the void volume effect further diminishes throughputs from those adsorption thermal compressors. The problem can be partially alleviated by increasing the desorption temperatures. The theme of this paper is the determination the minimum desorption temperature required for a given set of evaporating/condensing temperatures for an activated carbon + HFC 134a adsorption cooler. The calculation scheme is validated from experimental data. Results from a parametric analysis covering a range of evaporating/condensing/desorption temperatures are presented. It is found that the overall uptake efficiency and Carnot COP characterize these bounds. A design methodology for adsorber sizing is evolved.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)551-559
Number of pages9
JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
Volume51
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2013

Keywords

  • Activated carbon
  • Adsorption system
  • Compression
  • Efficiency
  • R134a

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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