Simulation of intermittent thermal compression processes using adsorption technology

This paper presents a dynamic model to simulate the adsorption-desorption processes associated with intermittent heat pump systems. This simulation plays an important role in sizing the adsorption systems for various types of applications in the design stage. A mathematical model that is based on the control volume approach was first developed and then discretized using the finite difference implicit scheme. The equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in the bed were derived for high-pressure and low-pressure segments, including the adsorbate (refrigerant), the adsorbent (Linde 13X), and the vessel wall. A pseudo-homogeneous model for the compression system was adopted. The numerical results that describe the adsorption-desorption history were obtained. It was found that the amount of the refrigerant recovered in the desorption process at the end of the cyclic operation is smaller than the amount adsorbed during the adsorption process. This indicates that the time for the regeneration process should be longer than the time for the adsorption process in order to raise the sieve temperature. In order to compare the simulated results with experimental data, numerical values for the heat transfer coefficients were theoretically evaluated. To assure the stability of the simulated results, the incremental time of system operation is kept equal or less than the value obtained from the minimum stability requirement. The simulated results of the temperature distribution history during system operation are in good agreement with the conducted experimental results, which led to the conclusion that the model can be used as an effective tool during the design stage and for the system development.