Adsorption properties of a natural zeolite-water pair for use in adsorption cooling cycles

The equilibrium adsorption capacity of water on a natural zeolite has been experimentally determined at different zeolite temperatures and water vapor pressures for use in an adsorption cooling system. The Dubinin-Astakhov adsorption equilibrium model is fitted to experimental data with an acceptable error limit. Separate correlations are obtained for adsorption and desorption processes as well as a single correlation to model both processes. The isosteric heat of adsorption of water on zeolite has been calculated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation as a function of adsorption capacity. The cyclic adsorption capacity swing for different condenser, evaporator and adsorbent temperatures is compared with that for the following adsorbent-refrigerant pairs: activated carbon-methanol; silica gel-water; and, zeolite 13X-water. Experimental results show that the maximum adsorption capacity of natural zeolite is nearly 0.12 kg(w)/kg(ad) for zeolite temperatures and water vapor pressures in the range 40-150 degrees C and 0.87-738 kPa. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.