Constraints of adsorption cooling cycles working at partial vacuum and pressurized conditions

The objective of this paper is to consolidate the outcomes of a systematic investigation on the use of adsorption phenomenon for cooling. The performance analysis of thermally driven adsorption cooling cycles working in both partial vacuum and pressurized conditions is presented. Six adsorbent and refrigerant pairs namely the activated carbon fiber ACF (A-20)/ethanol, Maxsorb III/ethanol, silica gel/water, Fluka/R134a, Chemviron/R134a and Maxsorb II/R134a pairs have been investigated. The relationships between equilibrium pressures, adsorbent temperatures and equilibrium adsorption concentrations (P-T-W diagram) have been presented. Theoretical analysis shows that the former three pairs, i.e. the adsorption cycles working at partial vacuum pressures are suitable for surface cooling while latter three, i.e. those working at pressurized conditions are suitable for micro cooling applications.