Pathways to enhance the performance of adsorption cooling system: An overview

Abstract

Adsorption refrigeration systems were developed as an alternative to traditional vapor compression systems, offering reduced energy consumption and using refrigerants that are less harmful to the environment. Of late, sustainable low-carbon cooling technologies are being widely researched for fulfilling the rapidly expanding cooling requirements. The rate of desorption and adsorption entrust mainly on the thermo-physical properties of the adsorbent and the heat and mass transfer rates of the adsorbent bed. To compete commercially with vapor compression and absorption refrigeration systems, adsorption processes must exhibit efficient mass and heat transfer rates between the adsorbent and adsorbate, also by minimizing manufacturing costs and ensuring the availability of a suitable temperature heat source. This review aims to provide the pathways to enhance the performance of the adsorption cooling system (ACS). It summarizes the current studies and investigations, particularly on the improvement of adsorbent thermal conductivity, increasing heat exchange area and lowering the thermal contact resistance for compact system development and optimization. The most effective approach is the combined effects of the composite adsorbent with surface coatings and suitable bed design modification. It is inferred that the peak performance (COP and SCP) could be attained by optimizing the thermophysical characteristics of a newly developed composite adsorbent. This review emphasizes that the comprehensive approach could led to the development of more efficient and sustainable solutions, by enhancing the effectiveness of the adsorption cooling systems.