Effect of mass transfer kinetics on the performance of adsorptive heat pump systems

The performance of adsorptive heat pump systems is affected by both heat an d mass transfer kinetics. The present paper addresses the effect of intrapa rticle mass transfer limitations. Three models are used to describe refrige rant transfer between gaseous and solid phases, namely, the equilibrium, th e solid diffusion and the linear driving force models. It is shown that in the case where the intraparticle diffusional resistances are significant, t he system performance is markedly decreased. Moreover, the use of a lineari zed adsorption rate expression outside its domain of validity can produce e rroneous numerical simulations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.