Experimental Analysis of a Silica Gel–Water Adsorption Cooling System with Integrated Chamber for Adsorbent Bed and the Condenser

Fahim, Ali; Nazari, Ahmad; Zamen, Mohammad; Salamat Asrami, Amirreza

doi:10.22044/rera.2025.16116.1418

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22044/rera.2025.16116.1418

Abstract

A significant portion of energy consumption, particularly during the summer, is attributed to cooling demands in buildings. The most common methods for providing cooling are vapor compression and absorption refrigeration systems. However, in recent years, alternative methods based on adsorption have been explored, and some systems have even reached the commercial market. In Iran, however, such systems have only been investigated at the laboratory level. The goal of this study experimental evaluation of a silica gel–water adsorption cooling system. The constructed system included an adsorbent bed filled with silica gel, a condenser, an evaporator, a heating unit, and a cooling water circulation system. A key feature of this design is the use of a chamber for both the adsorbent bed and the condenser which makes the system simpler. After construction, the system was tested and its performance data were collected. The cooling energy produced at the end of each cycle was measured based on the temperature change in the evaporator. According to the results, the cooling energy per cycle ranged between 1.3 and 1.8 kWh, with a maximum heating energy requirement of approximately 1.8 kWh. Based on various experimental runs, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the system was calculated to be in the range of 0.035 to 0.048. The use of an integrated chamber simplifies the system, but it results in reduced performance.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Systems with Low Energy Consumption

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Renewable Energy Research and Applications

Experimental Analysis of a Silica Gel–Water Adsorption Cooling System with Integrated Chamber for Adsorbent Bed and the Condenser

References

References

Volume 6, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 259-268

Experimental Analysis of a Silica Gel–Water Adsorption Cooling System with Integrated Chamber for Adsorbent Bed and the Condenser

References

References

Volume 6, Issue 2July 2025Pages 259-268

Volume 6, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 259-268