Simulation study of a combined adsorption refrigeration system

•Development of a thermodynamic model for a combined adsorption refrigeration system.•Zeolite 13X/CaCl2 is considered as a new adsorbent in a combined adsorption refrigeration system.•Zeolite 13X/CaCl2-water are more advantageous than the other working pairs.

In this study, we have divided combined ADRS into four types based on different arrangements of two working pairs, Zeolite 13x/CaCl2-water and Silica gel (RD type)–water, to analyze the performance of combined ADRS. After validating mathematical models with available experimental data, ADRS is simulated by using Simulink–Matlab software to achieve optimum times for various processes. The results of simulation show that the cooling capacity of the system with Zeolite 13x/CaCl2-water is more than the other types. The results have shown that the arrangement of adsorbents affects cooling capacity of combined ADRS significantly. In Type A, Zeolite 13x/CaCl2-water has been used as an adsorbent for both top and bottom cycles. This type not only has more cooling capacity than the other types, but also the effect of hot water temperature on cooling capacity of this type is less than the others. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis has been done to determine the importance of each parameter on ADRS system because the cooling capacity and the COP are influenced by many constant parameters.