Adsorption Refrigeration - an Efficient Way to Make Good Use of Waste Heat and Solar Energy

This paper presents the achievements in solid sorption refrigeration prototypes obtained since the interest in sorption systems was renewed at the end of the 1970s. The applications included are ice making and air conditioning. The latter includes not only cooling and heating, but also dehumidification by desiccant systems. The prototypes presented were designed to use waste heat or solar energy as the main heat sources. The waste heat could be from diesel engines or from power plants, in combined cooling, heating and power systems (CCHP). The current technology of adsorption solar powered icemakers allows a daily ice production of between 4 and 7 kg per m of solar collector with a solar COP between 0.10 and 0.15. The silica gel-water chillers studied can be powered by hot water warmer than 55 °C. The COP is usually around 0.2 to 0.6, and in some commercially produced machines, the COP can be up to 0.7. The utilization of such chillers in CCHP systems, hospitals, buildings and grain depots are discussed. Despite their advantages, solid sorption systems still present some drawbacks such as low specific cooling power and COP. Thus, some techniques to overcome these problems are also contemplated, together with the perspectives for their broad commercialization. Adsorption, Refrigeration, Heat Pump, Heat Management.