Characteristics of physical adsorbent-adsorbate pairs to improve the performance of adsorption refrigeration system.

This paper presents the desired characteristics of adsorbent and adsorbate in adsorption cooling system. The development of competitive market ready adsorption chiller is hindered by the physics of the adsorbent-adsorbate pairs, the main component of this cooling system. A breakthrough is required to produce adsorbent-adsorbate pairs with superior characteristics. The adsorbent-adsorbate pair must have low heat of adsorption compared to the latent heat of vaporization of refrigerant. The adsorbent uptake must be sensitive to its temperature, to reduce energy usage for sensible heating during transition from adsorption to desorption phase. An increase on the rate of adsorption and desorption must be accompanied by increase in rate of heat transfer to make sure optimum performance can be achieved. For a quick assessment on performance of adsorbent, refrigerant and heat exchange surface, adsorption calorimeter could be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]