Optimization and testing on an adsorption dishwasher

This paper reports experimental testing of an adsorption dishwasher employing different desiccants, such as 13X zeolite, microporous silica gel and SAPO-34 zeolite. Thermodynamic comparison of the selected adsorbents was carried out on the basis of the experimental measurement of the main thermo-physical parameters, such as specific heat, adsorption equilibrium curves and sorption enthalpy.A sensitivity analysis on the adsorption dishwasher parameters was carried out adopting full factorial design (FFD) on a modified dishwasher prototype. Finally, the actual energetic performance for the optimized configuration were experimentally evaluated returning a consumed electrical energy of 0.636 kWh, which is 41% lower than that of standard cycle performed by a standard dishwasher with energy label A.

► The experimental tests on an adsorption dishwasher are described.
► A sensitivity analysis is performed following the full factorial design.
► The results show how the operational parameters influence the uptake.
► An investigation on 3 different adsorbents is performed.
► An efficient configuration using silica gel was identified.