A prototype of a fast cycle adsorption refrigerator utilizing a novel carbon-aluminium laminate

A laboratory prototype of a fast cycle adsorption refrigerator is presented : it uses a monolithic carbon-aluminium laminate adsorbent and ammonia refr igerant. The system has a high effective thermal conductivity and density b ed and is powered by heat and designed to provide a specific cooling power up to 1 kW/kg adsorbent. There are two generators and each one consists of a tubular stainless steel shell containing a laminate of activated carbon d iscs and aluminium fins formed in situ. The full unit is designed for a pow er input up to 10 kW and a cooling power up to 3 kW. Preliminary results of the performance are presented and allow assessment of the intensification of heat transfer within the bed. At specific working conditions (evaporatin g and condensing temperatures, 7.5 and 32 degreesC respectively; generating temperature, 140 degreesC; half-cycle time, 620s), the results have demons trated the intensification of heat transfer within the generator through te mperature and pressure profiles during the cycles. With an intrinsic heatin g power input of about 1.130 kW, the refrigerator produces continuously abo ut 0.500 kW of cooling that corresponds to a specific cooling power of 0.18 0 kW/kg. The cooling coefficient of performance (COP) is about 0.44.