Performance analysis of a continuous multi-bed adsorption rotary cooling system

A multi-bed adsorption rotary cooling system can make use of the concept of heat regeneration cycle and recently developed technology of heat enhancement in adsorbent bed. In the present study, the performance parameters such as COP and specific cooling power (SCP) of the rotary system are initially analyzed based on heat recovery temperature difference and counter-flow heat exchanger, and meaningful parameters related to the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and the system design are identified. Then, an integrated thermodynamic and heat transfer model of the system is developed and used to evaluate the effect of important design and operational parameters. Results show that the performance of system with certain adsorbent/adsorbate pair is sensitive to Reynolds and Prandtl number of heat transfer fluid. Also, the module number and module heat transfer area play an important role in improving the system COP and SCP. This study shows that, the performance of the system could be improved further by optimizing the cycle time.