Performance analysis of adsorption refrigeration system using silicagel/methanol pair: experimental & analytical approaches

Abstract

An adsorption refrigeration system (ARS) working on silica-gel/methanol pair has been investigated analytically and experimentally. By applying the mass balance in the adsorber bed the mechanism of adsorption in the thermal compressor with respect to time and bed length was determined. An experimental analysis was performed using a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) to evaluate the mass transfer coefficient and optimum cycle time for silica-gel/ methanol pair at different working temperatures. The Diffusion coefficient Ds and Activation energy Ea for silica-gel/methanol pair were found 2.55 × 10–4 m2/s and 83.08 KJ/mol. Further, the results of variation of regeneration temperature on the performance of the system in terms of COP (Coefficient of Performance) and SCP (Specific Cooling Power) was evaluated; the maximum average theoretical COP and SCP achieved by the system was 0.5 and 102 W/kg near about 127°C regeneration temperature.

Keywords

• Adsorption refrigeration
• Silica- gel/Methanol
• Thermal compressor
• Thermal gravimetric analysis;
• Exhaust heat

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