%0 Journal Article
%T Energy Analysis and Performance Evaluation of the Adsorption Refrigeration System
%A H. Z. Hassan
%J ISRN Mechanical Engineering
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/704340
%X A complete steady state thermodynamic differential analysis is developed for the adsorption-based refrigeration systems. The introduced thermodynamic model accurately represents the behaviour of adsorption cooling systems, based on a precise, reasonable, and clear fundamental approach. Based on the energy conservation principle, all components and processes in the system are analyzed. The dynamics of adsorption is expressed by the Dubinin-Astakhov adsorption equilibrium model. All types of energy interactions are evaluated in order to determine the theoretical performance and the operating parameters of the system. Moreover, the actual thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant are considered in developing the model. The case studied is an ice maker which uses activated carbon-methanol as the working pair. 1. Introduction The traditional vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) machines are dominating electricity consumers and their operation causes high electricity peak loads [1]. Providing cooling by using a low quality source of energy is a key solution to reduce electrical energy consumption. Low quality energy sources are those sources with low temperature and include solar thermal energy, geothermal energy, and waste heat. Recently, thermally driven cold production (TDCP) systems attract many researchers [2]. The booming progress in the TDCP technology offers a considerable number of systems as alternatives to the VCR machines. These systems include adsorption, absorption, and ejector systems. An advantage of the TDCP systems is the environmentally benign and natural refrigerants which have zero ozone depleting as well as zero global warming potentials. Moreover, the low heat source driving temperature and its wide range make TDCP systems more attractive. Adsorption cold production (ACP) systems can be powered by heat sources with temperature which is near-environmental temperatures and as low as 50ˇăC, depending on the adsorbent-refrigerant working pair [3]. Moreover, ACP machines are suitable for working in hot and dry areas because they do not require any extra cooling equipment for high ambient temperatures. Due to the fact that ACP systems use solid absorbent, they are suitable for conditions with serious vibration, such as in fishing boats and locomotives. The most widely used working pairs are activated carbon-methanol [4, 5], activated carbon fibers-methanol [6], activated carbon-ethanol [7], activated carbon-ammonia [8], silica gel-water [9], and zeolite-water [10]. Many researchers have been interested with the study of the ACP system both
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.mechanical.engineering/2013/704340/