On the effective thermal conductivity of wetted zeolite under the working conditions of an adsorption chiller

This paper presents a theoretical model for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of wetted zeolite. The model comprises the thermal conductivities of the zeolite crystal as well as of the adsorbed water. The temperature dependence of both thermal conductivities is considered. Moreover, the contribution to the effective thermal conductivity due to vapor conductance is also taken into account. The effective thermal conductivity of 4A zeolite–water is measured by transient “hot wire” method under various conditions of vapor pressure, temperature and water loading. The measurement ranges are chosen according to the operating conditions of a typical adsorption cooling cycle. The experimentally measured data are fitted to the proposed theoretical model. The maximum deviation between the experimental results and the theoretical values is estimated to be ±5.8%. The validated model is used to realize a zeolite 4A conductivity chart, which represents an useful tool for thermal design of adsorption machines.

► A model for effective thermal conductivity of wetted zeolite is presented.
► Thermal conductivity of zeolite 4A-water is measured to validate the model.
► Effective thermal conductivity of zeolite 4A varies with temperature and pressure.
► Low effective thermal conductivity of zeolite is found (0.16–0.21 W m−1 K−1).
► A conductivity chart for the zeolite 4A/water working pair is provided.