Modelling of an adsorption chiller for dynamic system simulation

Adsorption chillers are periodically working chillers with fast temperature changes at the outlets of the hydraulic loops at the beginning of a new adsorption cycle. The scope of the current study is to predict the consequences of these temperature changes for the components in the hydraulic system in order to optimize the system's design. Therefore, a model of an adsorption chiller has been created in the object-oriented simulation language Modelica. The model follows a component approach for each part of the chiller based on fundamental equations for heat and mass transfer. Compared to an effective model all equations have a physical significance. Simulation results are validated by measurement values coming from an adsorption chiller tested. Measured temperatures and volume flows at the inlet of the hydraulic loops are given as input to the simulation model. The simulated output temperatures show good agreement with measured temperatures, heating and cooling power and coefficient of performance (COP).