Numerical Simulation of Advanced Adsorption Refrigeration Chiller with Mass Recovery

This paper investigates the thermodynamic framework of a three-bed advanced adsorption chiller, where the mass recovery scheme has been utilized such that the performances of this chiller could be improved and a CFC-free-based sorption chiller driven by the low-grade waste heat or any renewable energy source can be developed for the next generation of refrigeration. Silica gel-water is chosen as adsorbent-refrigerant pair. The three-bed adsorption chiller comprises with three sorption elements (SEs), one evaporator and one condenser. The configuration of SE1 and SE2 are identical, but the configuration of SE3 is taken as half of SE1 or SE2. Mass recovery process occurs between SE3 with either SE1 or SE2 and no mass recovery between SE1 and SE2 occurs. The mathematical model shown herein is solved numerically. In the present numerical solution, the heat source temperature variation is taken from 50 to 90oC along with coolant inlet temperature at 30oC and the chilled water inlet temperature at 14oC. A cycle simulation computer program is constructed to analyze the influence of operating conditions (hot and cooling water temperature) on COP (coefficient of performance), SCP (specific cooling power), η (chiller efficiency) and chilled water outlet temperature.