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Development of New Composite Beds for Enhancing the Heat Transfer in Adsorption Cooling Systems

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  • Łukasz Mika

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Tomasz Bujok

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Karol Sztekler

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Wojciech Kalawa

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Ewelina Radomska

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Agata Mlonka-Mędrala

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Jakub Čespiva

    (Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies, Energy Research Centre, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic)

  • Piotr Boruta

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

Abstract

Adsorption chillers are distinguished by their low electricity consumption, lack of moving parts and exceptional reliability. However, their considerable weight, due to the low sorption capacity of conventional adsorbents, remains a key limitation. This study investigates the effect of introducing thermally conductive additives—aluminium powder, copper powder and graphite flakes—at 5, 15 and 25 wt.% to silica-gel-based adsorbent beds on the enhancement of heat transfer. In contrast to other works, this study also includes a novel analysis of the thermal properties of dry sorbents, since the moisture content affects the thermal conductivity. Additives improve the thermal conductivity, as measured by the laser flash method (LFA), of the bed by up to 20.7% while maintaining a reasonable sorption capacity, as measured by the dynamic vapor sorption (DVS). Additions of copper at 5–15 wt.% and graphite flakes at 15–25 wt.% provide an optimal compromise between thermal conductivity and sorption capacity. Aluminium powder, on the other hand, offers flexibility over a wider range (5–25 wt.%). The increased thermal conductivity of these modified materials is expected to lead to more efficient heat transport, which suggests the hypothesis that it could reduce the cycle time and increase the efficiency of adsorption chillers.

Suggested Citation

  • Łukasz Mika & Tomasz Bujok & Karol Sztekler & Wojciech Kalawa & Ewelina Radomska & Agata Mlonka-Mędrala & Jakub Čespiva & Piotr Boruta, 2025. "Development of New Composite Beds for Enhancing the Heat Transfer in Adsorption Cooling Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:584-:d:1577617
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karol Sztekler, 2021. "Optimisation of Operation of Adsorption Chiller with Desalination Function," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Grabowska, Karolina & Krzywanski, Jaroslaw & Nowak, Wojciech & Wesolowska, Marta, 2018. "Construction of an innovative adsorbent bed configuration in the adsorption chiller - Selection criteria for effective sorbent-glue pair," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 317-323.
    3. Piotr Boruta & Tomasz Bujok & Łukasz Mika & Karol Sztekler, 2021. "Adsorbents, Working Pairs and Coated Beds for Natural Refrigerants in Adsorption Chillers—State of the Art," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-41, August.
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