THRIVE project explores new developments for adsorbtion heat pumps

Funded in 2014, the 4-year project THRIVE was launched by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to investigate adsorption heat pumps and to develop a system powered by waste heat. Adsorption heat pumps rely on the use of adsorbent materials like silica gel, a substance said to be able to adsorb 40% of its own weight in moisture from its surroundings.

The results of the research are to be published in March in the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer.

Instead of silica gel, scientists developed a new type of monolithic activated carbon adsorbent, similar to charcoal. It provided a 3.8 times higher cooling power per unit mass compared to silica gel for regeneration by waste heat at 60°C. A framework to predict the geometry of optimally shaped adsorbents was also developed, and adsorbent coatings were structured accordingly to provide a threefold improvement in adsorption rate compared to unstructured coatings. These structured adsorbents can support a cooling power of 5 kW for each m² of adsorption heat exchanger area.

This kind of heat pump is considered as a promising application to increase efficiency and capacity in district heating grids as well as lower emissions and energy costs for households.

Source: phys.org

Picture credit: Institut für Solartechnik, Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil HSR