Oscillatory heat transfer in coated sorber beds: An analytical solution

Abstract

This paper outlines a novel closed-form analytical model that considers the thermal contact resistance (TCR) at the interface between the sorbent layer and heat exchanger (HEX). Governing energy equations with oscillatory boundary conditions are solved using an orthogonal expansion technique and closed-form relationships are reported to calculate the temperature distribution and heat flux inside the sorbent coating and HEX. In addition, a new gravimetric large pressure jump (GLAP) test bed is designed to measure the uptake of sorption material. The performance of sorber beds are evaluated in terms of specific cooling power, heat flux at HEX base and sorbent temperature standard deviation. It is found that the sorbent thermal diffusivity and TCR at the interface between the sorption coating and HEX are the key parameters that determine the thermal performance of a sorption cooling system (SCS).