CFD Analysis of Elements of an Adsorption Chiller with Desalination Function

Abstract

This paper presents the results of numerical tests on the elements of an adsorption chiller that comprises a sorption chamber with a bed, a condenser, and an evaporator. The simulation is based on the data and geometry of a prototype refrigeration appliance. The simulation of this problem is unique and has not yet been performed, and so far, no simulation of the phenomena occurring in the systems on a real scale has been carried out. The presented results are part of the research covering the entire spectrum of designing an adsorption chiller. The full process of numerical modeling of thermal and flow phenomena taking place in the abovementioned components is presented. The computational mesh sensitivity analysis combined in the k-ε turbulence model was performed. To verify and validate the numerical results obtained, they were compared with the results of tests carried out on a laboratory stand at the AGH Center of Energy. The results of numerical calculations are in good agreement with the results of the experimental tests. The maximum deviation between the pressure obtained experimentally and by simulations is 1.8%, while for temperatures this deviation is no more than 0.5%. The results allow the identification of problems and their sources, which allows for future structural modifications to optimize the operation of the device.

Adsorption Desalination and Cooling Systems: Advances in Design, Modeling and Performance

“…Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis of elements of an adsorption chiller with a desalination function were carried out in [2]. The authors presented the results of numerical tests on the elements of an adsorption chiller that comprises a sorption chamber with a bed, a condenser and an evaporator.…”

Modeling and Simulation of a Two-Stage Air Cooled Adsorption Chiller with Heat Recovery Part I: Physical and Mathematical Performance Model

“…The performance of an adsorption chiller using a silica gel/water pair for Jordan's climate was evaluated for different ambient temperatures, relative humidity, global solar radiation, wind speed and temperatures of the solar adsorption system at different locations of the experimental setup [35]. Sztekler et al, studied experimentally and mathematically an adsorption chiller with a desalination function [36,37] and a gas turbine integration with an adsorption chiller [38].…”