Development of Finned Tube Type Adsorber Bed for Adsorption Cooling System

Abstract

Adsorption cooling system consists of the specifically designed heat exchanger which is filled with adsorbents (silica gel). The flow of refrigerant is regulated inside the heat exchanger by regulating valves. Heat exchanger filled with adsorbents called a ‘Thermal compressor’ is used to build the pressure in the system. It is a replacer for the mechanical compressor in a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS). This heat exchanger is experimentally evaluated in the adsorption cooling system which is developed for air-conditioning of subcompact vehicle of 1 TR capacity. Coefficient of Performance (COP) and Specific Cooling Power (SCP) are the performance parameters evaluated from the experimentation. Temperature of hot source is varied from 45 to 60 °C and for 15 min of cycle time, maximum COP obtained is up to 0.55, whereas minimum obtained is 0.14. On another hand, SCP is observed up to 348 W/kg. Here, the design of thermal compressor plays an important role. SCP and COP of the system are to be maximized by increasing heat transfer and mass transfer rates. Poor design of heat exchanger leads to decrease in heat transfer and mass transfer rates which will reduce SCP and COP of the system. Heat transfer rate of the heat exchanger is enhanced by increasing heat transfer area, and mass transfer rate is enhanced by decreasing the thermal resistance between adsorbent–adsorbate particles.