PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF 2-BED CLOSED-CYCLE SOLID-SORPTION HEAT-PUMP SYSTEMS

The performance of two-bed, closed-cycle solid-sorption heat pumps are affected by the switching frequencies at which the sorbent beds are c ycled between the regeneration and adsorption processes. However, ther e always exists a switching frequency that optimizes the system perfor mance (i.e., thermal COP) for given design and operating conditions. I n this paper, the performance of two-bed, closed-cycle solid-sorption heat pumps are optimized based on the switching frequency and the effe ct of the design and operating parameters on the optimum performance a re investigated. The effect of the sorbent bed NTU, the thermal resist ance within the sorbent, the contact resistance between the sorbent an d the tube wall of the heat transfer fluid, the fraction of inert mass within the sorbent bed heat exchanger, and amount of fluid resident w ithin the heat exchanger, on the optimum system performance is documen ted.