Performance Analysis of a Cascading Adsorption Cycle Powered by High-Temperature Heat Sources for Low-Temperature Cooling in Hot Climates

Abstract

Cascade adsorption refrigeration technology using high-temperature driving heat is a very promising option for low-temperature cooling applications due to the large temperature difference between the heat source and the cold distributed. The present work carried out a feasibility and parametric study in order to analyze the functioning of a cascading adsorption cycle using the working pair zeolite/ammonia in beds operating at high temperatures and activated carbon/ammonia in those operating at low temperatures. At the nominal thermal conditions, namely, heating, condensing, and evaporating temperatures of 280 °C, 35 °C, and (−5) °C, respectively, the coefficient of performance (COP) and the specific refrigerating capacity (SCP) of the cycle were 0.53 and 67.1 W/kg. When the driving temperature is varied from 260 °C to 320 °C, the COP increases by 57% and the SCP by 36%. The performance of the cascading adsorption cycle at negative evaporating temperatures is very satisfactory.