Experimental investigation of a single-bed pressure swing adsorption refrigeration system towards replacement of halogenated refrigerants

Replacement of halogenated refrigerants with a suitable refrigeration system in order to prevent ozone layer depletion and minimize global warming has been a matter of research and worldwide attention for some decades. This paper presents the design and description of a single chambered experimental model for cold generation based on pressure swing adsorption mechanism with an objective to propose a feasible refrigeration system to replace halogenated refrigerants. Granular activated carbon (ACG-825-1.5) manufactured indigenously from matured coconut shell and carbon dioxide has been used as representative adsorbent-adsorbate pair. Refrigerating effect and coefficient of performance for the system have been investigated and were found to be 120.61 J/s and 3.014 respectively. The model successfully produced chilled water at 4 degrees C (277 K) from ambient water available at 26 degrees C (299 K). Details of the experimental results and adsorption-desorption isotherm for the system has been described. This work also highlights a novel method of capturing carbon dioxide by utilizing it as an adsorbate in such a refrigeration system. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.