180
S. Sangwan and P. R. Chakraborty
et al. 2014). Energy consumption problems can be solved by developing cooling
technologies which utilizes low grade heat as source of power.
Adsorption cooling has gained attention as a novel technology. The main advantage with this technology is having zero ODP (ozone depleting potential) and GWP
(global warming potential) values as it uses natural ingredients as refrigerants alternative to refrigerants containing CFC, HCFC, or HFC (Saha et al. 2007). Since 1970s,
adsorption technology have been focused more among other sorption technologies. In
comparison to other sorption systems which uses low grade energy as source of heat,
adsorption systems has variety of adsorbents such as physical, chemical and composite adsorbents and these can be used over a range of temperatures (50–400 °C).
Secondly, this technology doesn’t require solution pump and rectification equipment.
Adsorption cooling systems are devoid of problems faced by absorption systems like
solution crystallization and use of pollution prone refrigerants. But adsorption refrigeration systems are less efficient as compared to absorption refrigeration, and another
disadvantage this technology have, is that the systems are of large volume. Due to
these merits and demerits, this technology is given recognition by academicians as
a complementary technology for absorption refrigeration.
Adsorption systems uses zeolite–water, silica gel–water, and activated carbon–methanol/ethanol/ammonia, as working pairs (Lu et al. 2006). Many researchers
have studied adsorption systems based on these working pairs.
10.2 History of Adsorption Cooling Technology
In 1848, Faraday discovered that the cooling effect can be produced when AgCl
adsorbed NH 3 (Wang et al. 2014). In the 1920s, Hulse suggested a silica gel–SO 2
based cooling system for storing the food and heat source for this system was combustion of propane and air was used for cooling. Lowest temperature achieved was
12
◦ C (Hulse 1929). Activated carbon–methanol based cooling system was introduced by Plank and Kuprianoff (Wang et al. 2014). Adsorption refrigeration was
not given importance by scientists and researchers for a long period due to improvement in the efficiency of vapor compression refrigeration systems and adsorption
technology was not able to compete with efficient CFCs systems.
Due to energy crisis which occurred in the 1970s, adsorption refrigeration technology got a chance for the development because adsorption systems can be driven
by waste heat sources and solar energy. The problem of environmental pollution
became very serious from 1990 onward with the major drawbacks of CFC being
the significant contributor to ozone layer depletion and global warming. Because of
this adsorption cooling technology was given recognition by researchers and academicians. Till now air conditioning systems for automobiles, marine refrigeration
and heat pump systems are focused more under adsorption technology (Suzuki 1993)
because these systems have no moving parts and perform well in vibrating conditions
(Jones and Golben 1985).
S. Sangwan and P. R. Chakraborty
et al. 2014). Energy consumption problems can be solved by developing cooling
technologies which utilizes low grade heat as source of power.
Adsorption cooling has gained attention as a novel technology. The main advantage with this technology is having zero ODP (ozone depleting potential) and GWP
(global warming potential) values as it uses natural ingredients as refrigerants alternative to refrigerants containing CFC, HCFC, or HFC (Saha et al. 2007). Since 1970s,
adsorption technology have been focused more among other sorption technologies. In
comparison to other sorption systems which uses low grade energy as source of heat,
adsorption systems has variety of adsorbents such as physical, chemical and composite adsorbents and these can be used over a range of temperatures (50–400 °C).
Secondly, this technology doesn’t require solution pump and rectification equipment.
Adsorption cooling systems are devoid of problems faced by absorption systems like
solution crystallization and use of pollution prone refrigerants. But adsorption refrigeration systems are less efficient as compared to absorption refrigeration, and another
disadvantage this technology have, is that the systems are of large volume. Due to
these merits and demerits, this technology is given recognition by academicians as
a complementary technology for absorption refrigeration.
Adsorption systems uses zeolite–water, silica gel–water, and activated carbon–methanol/ethanol/ammonia, as working pairs (Lu et al. 2006). Many researchers
have studied adsorption systems based on these working pairs.
10.2 History of Adsorption Cooling Technology
In 1848, Faraday discovered that the cooling effect can be produced when AgCl
adsorbed NH 3 (Wang et al. 2014). In the 1920s, Hulse suggested a silica gel–SO 2
based cooling system for storing the food and heat source for this system was combustion of propane and air was used for cooling. Lowest temperature achieved was
12
◦ C (Hulse 1929). Activated carbon–methanol based cooling system was introduced by Plank and Kuprianoff (Wang et al. 2014). Adsorption refrigeration was
not given importance by scientists and researchers for a long period due to improvement in the efficiency of vapor compression refrigeration systems and adsorption
technology was not able to compete with efficient CFCs systems.
Due to energy crisis which occurred in the 1970s, adsorption refrigeration technology got a chance for the development because adsorption systems can be driven
by waste heat sources and solar energy. The problem of environmental pollution
became very serious from 1990 onward with the major drawbacks of CFC being
the significant contributor to ozone layer depletion and global warming. Because of
this adsorption cooling technology was given recognition by researchers and academicians. Till now air conditioning systems for automobiles, marine refrigeration
and heat pump systems are focused more under adsorption technology (Suzuki 1993)
because these systems have no moving parts and perform well in vibrating conditions
(Jones and Golben 1985).