Z.S. Lu

Thermodynamic analysis and performance simulation of different kinds of mass recovery processes applied in adsorption refrigeration system

Mass recovery process is an efficient way to improve the performance of adsorption refrigeration system. By researching two kinds of conventional mass recovery cycle (i.e., mass recovery between two beds [TBMRC] and between evaporators [TEMRC]), double mass recovery cycle (DMRC) is proposed to reduce heat loss. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the heat loss of DMRC is less than the other two kinds. Consequently, DMRC system performance should be the best, followed by TEMRC and TBMRC as the worst. A mathematical model of heat and mass transfer was then built and simulation was performed to analyze the system performance. The simulation results show that the optimal cycle time and mass recovery time are 30 mins and 10 s, respectively. Compared with the basic cycle, both coefficient of performance and specific cooling power of mass recovery cycle are much better. The system performance of different kinds of mass recovery cycle is almost the same in most cases, caused by a small reduction of heat loss in DMRC or TEMRC, when compared with the cooling capacity and heating power. However, under some conditions (i.e., large cycle time or high evaporation temperature), performance of DMRC is better than the other two kinds, which is consistent with the thermodynamic analysis results.

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF AN ADSORPTION CHILLER USING COMPOSITE ADSORBENT, SILICA GEL IMPREGNATED WITH LITHIUM CHLORIDE, PAIRED WITH METHANOL AS THE ADSORBATE

This study aimed at analyzing different operation strategies to improve the performance of a new type adsorption chiller employing a novel composite adsorbent, silica gel impregnated with lithium chloride, paired with methanol as the adsorbate. The chillers experimental test results showed an average Specific Cooling Power (SCP) and Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 286 W/kg and 0.48, respectively. This was when the average hot water inlet temperature, cooling water inlet temperature, and chilled water inlet temperature were 83°C, 26°C and 15°C, respectively. In addition, the corresponding mass flow rates were 0.22, 0.39 and 0.09 kg/s, respectively. Despite the fact that the average SCP and COP, were rather satisfactory, analysis of experimental results conducted with different cycle times, inlet hot water temperatures, and hot water flow rates showed that a much better performance could be achieved. Experimental results indicated the following: (1) the COP increased while the SCP decreased with increased cycle time, (2) both the COP and the SCP increased with increase in heat and mass recovery time to an optimal time then started to decrease as heat and mass recovery time increased beyond the optimal time, (3) both the cooling power and COP generally increased with increase in inlet hot water temperature at a relatively higher value from 60°C to about 90°C beyond which the incremental value started diminishing, and, (4) increase in mass flow rates produced higher cooling power with decreased COP while decrease in mass flow rates of hot water produced lower cooling power with increased COP. This paper therefore recommends an adsorption/desorption time, heat and mass recovery time, inlet hot water temperature, and hot water mass flow rate of 780 s, 60 s, 83°C, and 0.22 kg/s as appropriate to give the best chiller performance for refrigeration.

Heat Transfer Design in Adsorption Refrigeration Systems for Efficient Use of Low Grade Thermal Energy

Adsorption refrigeration and heat pump systems have been considered as very important means for the efficient use of low grade thermal energy in the temperature range of 60–150°C. Sorption systems are merely heat exchanger based thermodynamic systems, and therefore a good design to optimize heat and mass transfer with reaction or sorption processes is very important for high performance of the systems. Studies on heat and mass transfer enhancement in adsorption beds have been done extensively. Notable techniques is whereby the adsorbent bed is fitted with finned heat exchanger embedded with adsorbent particles, or the adsorbent particles may be compressed and solidified and then coupled with finned tube or plate heat exchangers. The use of expanded graphite seems to be an effective method to improve both heat and mass transfer in the reaction bed. Studies have also shows the need to enhance the heat transfer in adsorption bed to match with the heat transfer of thermal fluids. Use of heat pipes and good thermal loop design could yield higher thermal performances of a sorption system, when coupled with adsorption beds to provide heating and cooling to the beds. A novel design with passive evaporation, known as rising film evaporation coupled with a gravity heat pipe was introduced for high cooling output. It has also been shown that heat and mass recovery in the internal sorption systems is critical, and novel arrangement of thermal fluid and refrigerant may result in high performance sorption systems. Based upon the above researches, various sorption systems have been developed, and high efficient performances have been reached. Typical sorption systems include (1) A silica gel-water adsorption water chillier with a COP about 0.55 when powered with 80°C hot water, (2) A CaCl2 -ammonia adsorption refrigerator with a COP over 0.3 at −20 °C when powered with 120 °C water vapor, which has a specific cooling power about 600 W/kg-adsorbent. The above mentioned systems have shown that solid sorption systems have become market potential products, and low grade thermal energy, which is usually considered as waste heat, could be utilized to provide high grade cooling. This paper gives details of high efficient solid sorption systems recently developed, their heat transfer design, thermodynamic system coupling, and performance test results. Some examples of low grade thermal powered cooling systems are also presented.Copyright