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Comparison of air- and water- coupling for adsorption chillers for off-grid food storage.

Number: 2501

Author(s) : LOCKYEAR K. T., CRYSTAL R. V., AGARWAL A., GARIMELLA S.

Summary

In the perishable food industry, cold storage is generally achieved using vapor compression refrigeration. However, the dependence of vapor compression on electricity, due to the compressor, limits its applicability in the developing world where a reliable electric grid may not be available. A thermally driven adsorption refrigeration system driven by waste biomass from farmers is a possible solution to this issue. Adsorption chillers operate by replacing the electrical compressor with thermal compression to limit the reliance on electricity. However, these systems can be large and expensive; therefore, accurate modeling for proper design and sizing is essential. This work analyzes a thermally driven adsorption chiller, specifically comparing options for liquid-coupled and air-coupled heat rejection in the condenser. Individual heat and mass transfer models for each component of the adsorption chiller are developed and coupled in a transient cycle model for performance characterization. Adsorption systems with liquid-coupled condensers often maintain higher COPs and specific cooling densities; however, the higher water consumption can create problems in areas with limited water availability. Thus, the benefits and drawbacks, including performance comparisons, of each option are quantified using this model and discussed. A nominal 10-kW system is used as a basis for the modeling, and each system contains identical components aside from the condenser. Various ambient conditions and cycle times are tested to determine the optimal performance of both systems, including COP and average and peak cooling duty. The appropriate applications for each system are discussed.

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Details

  • Original title: Comparison of air- and water- coupling for adsorption chillers for off-grid food storage.
  • Record ID : 30033044
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Environment
  • Source: 2024 Purdue Conferences. 20th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue.
  • Publication date: 2024/07/17

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