Increases efficiency of adsorption chillers with desalination function using modified beds

Adsorption chillers with a desalination function are devices characterized by low energy consumption. They can operate using a low-grade heat source from renewable energy sources and waste heat. In addition to their advantages, these devices also have disadvantages. One such disadvantage is the high weight and size of the unit, along with a low cooling coefficient of performance (COP). Therefore, it is important to conduct research to improve the efficiency of adsorption chillers to make them more competitive with other solutions. One way to enhance the efficiency of adsorption chillers is to improve the heat exchange between the silica gel and the heat exchanger in the bed. Reducing the resistance between the exchanger and the silica gel can be achieved by adding metal additives or other materials to reduce the thermal resistance inside the bed. This paper presents a verification of the possibility of increasing the cooling COP and specific cooling power (SCP) of a laboratory adsorption chiller. It analyzed various metallic additives in a low proportion in the bed relative to the silica gel. The adsorption chiller was operated in both two-bed and one-bed modes aimed at producing chilled water. The results were compared with those obtained under similar conditions when the beds were only filled with silica gel. The experimental results obtained allow for the determination of the optimum proportion of metallic additives in the silica gel as a function of maximum efficiency and cooling power of the device.