In this work, a numerical model is presented that describes the transfer of heat and mass inside a cylindrical regenerator of a solar adsorption refrigerator that uses the methanol/activated-carbon refrigerant pair. This model is based on the equations of mass conservation, energy conservation, Darcy’s law and the balance model between sorbate and sorbent given by the Dubinin-Astak- hov’s equation. On the other hand, the linear driving force (LDF) model is used to describe the rate of desorption. In the developed model, the spatial variation of methanol vapor pressure within the activated carbon bed is taken into account and, as one of the boundary conditions, the temperature is used at the external surface of the absorber measured experimentally along the day. Using the developed model, the temperature, pressure and concentration of methanol were calculated; both inside the grains of carbon and in the space between the grains, as a function of time. The algorithm was validated comparing the numerical results with the experimental data, obtaining a satisfactory concordance.
Meunier, F. and Douss, N. (1990) Performance of Adsorption Heat Pumps; Active Car-bon-Methanol and Zeolite-Water Pairs. ASHRAE Transactions, 96, 2.
Wang, D., Li, Y., Li, D., Xia, Y. and Zhang, J. (2010) A Review on Adsorption Refrigeration Technology and Adsorption Deterioration in Physical Adsorption Systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14, 344-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2009.08.001
Tchernev, D. (1978) Solar Energy Application of Natural Zeolites. In: Sand, L.B. and Mumpton, F.A., Eds., Natural Zeolites: Occurrence, Properties and Use, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 479-485.
Tchernev, D. (1982) Solar Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems Utilizing Zeolites. Proceeding Meetings of IIR Commissions, E1-E2, Jerusalem, 209-215.
Dupont, M., Guilleminot, J., Meunier, F. and Nguyen, P. (1982) Study of Solar Ice Con-servators Using Day Night Intermittent Zeolite 13X—Water Cycle in Temperate and Tropical Climates. International Institute of Refrigeration, Jerusalem.
Grenier, Ph., Gulleminot, J., Mester, M., Meunier, F. and Pons, M. (1983) Experimental Results on a 12 M2 Solar Powered Cold Store Using the Intermittent Zeolite 13X-Water Cycle. Proceedings of the ISES Conference, Perth, 14-19 August 1983, 353-357.
Chua, H., Kim, C., Anutosh, C., Nay, M. and Chakraborty, O.M. (2002) Adsorption Char-acteristics of Silica Gel+ Water Systems. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, 47, 1177-1181. https://doi.org/10.1021/je0255067
Poyelle, F., Guilleminot, J. and Meunier, F. (1999) Experimental Tests and Predictive Model of an Adsorptive Air Conditioning Unit. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Re-search, 38, 298-309. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie9802008
Vasiliev, L., Mishkinis, D. and Vasiliev, J.L. (1996) Multi-Effect Complex Com-pound/Ammonia Sorption Machines. Proceedings of the International Sorption Heat Pump Conferences, Motreal, 17-20 September, 3-8.
Tamainot-Telto, Z. and Critoph, R. (2003) Advanced Solid Sorption Air Conditioning Modules Using Monolithic Carbon—Ammonia Pair. Applied Thermal Engineering, 23, 659-674. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(02)00238-7
Critoph, R. (1994) An Ammonia Carbon Solar Refrigerator for Vaccine Cooling. Re-newable Energy, 5, 502-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/0960-1481(94)90424-3
Jones, J.A. (1993) Carbon/Ammonia Regenerative Adsorption Heat Pump. Proceedings of International Absorption Heat Pump Conference, 31, 449-455.
Tubreoumya, G.C., Dissa, A.O., Tiendrebeogo, E.S., Chesneau, X., Compaoré, A., Haro, K., Konseibo, C.D., Zeghmati, B. and Koulidiati, J. (2017) Contribution to the Modeling of a Solar Adsorption Refrigerator under the Climatic Conditions of Burkina Faso. Energy and Power Engineering, 9, 119-135. https://doi.org/10.4236/epe.2017.92010
Allouhi, A., Kousksou, T., Jamil, A., El Rhafiki, T., Mourad, Y. and Zeraoul, Y. (2015) Op-timal Working Pairs for Solar Adsorption Cooling Applications. Energy, 79, 235-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.11.010
Qasem, N. and El-Shaarawi, M. (2013) Improving Ice Productivity and Performance for an Activated Carbon/Methanol Solar Adsorption Ice-Maker. Solar Energy, 98, 523-542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2013.10.018
Vasiliev, L., Mishkinis, D. and Vasiliev, J.L. (2001) Solar—Gas Solid Sorption Heat Pump. Applied Thermal Engineering, 21, 573-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(00)00069-7
Boubakri, A., Guilleminot, J. and Meunier, F. (2000) Adsorptive Solar Powered Ice Maker: Experiments and Model. Solar Energy, 69, 249-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-092X(00)00063-3
Anyanwu, E. and Ogueke, N. (2007) Transient Analysis and Performance Prediction of a Solid Adsorption Solar Refrigerator. Applied Thermal Engineering, 27, 2514-2523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2007.02.002
Luo, L. and Tondeur, D. (2000) Transient Thermal Study of an Adsorption Refrigerating Machine. Adsorption, 6, 93-104. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008907518073
Leite, A., Becerra Grilo, M., Duarte Andrade, R., Belo, F. and Meunier, F. (2005) Exper-imental Evaluation of a Multi-Tubular Adsorber Operating with Activated Car-bon-Methanol. Adsorption, 11, 543-548. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-005-5982-8
Leite, A.P.F., Grilo, M.B., Andrade, P.R.D., Belo, F.A. and Meunier, F. (2007) Experimental Thermodynamic Cycles and Performance Analysis of a Solar-Powered Adsorptive Icemaker in Hot Humid Climate. Renewable Energy, 32, 697-712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2006.03.002
Zhao, Y., Hu, E. and Blazewicz, A. (2012) Dynamic Modelling of an Activated Car-bon—Methanol Adsorption Refrigeration Tube with Considerations of Interfacial Convection and Transient Pressure Process. Applied Energy, 95, 276-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.02.050
Zhang, L. (2000) A Three-Dimensional Non-Equilibrium Model for an Intermittent Adsorption Cooling System. Solar Energy, 69, 27-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-092X(00)00010-4
Khan, M.A., Sultana, S., Akisawa, A. and Kashiwagi, T. (2006) Numerical Simulation of Advanced Adsorption Refrigeration Chiller with Mass Recovery. Journal of Naval Ar-chitecture and Marine Engineering, 3, 59-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jname.v3i2.920