CFD simulation and experimental validation of ethanol adsorption onto activated carbon packed heat exchanger

Experimental validation of simulated adsorber/desorber beds for sorption cooling applications is essential to obtain reliable results. We have conducted rigorous simulation of the adsorption process occurring in a finned tube adsorber utilizing 2D-axisymmetric geometry. The adsorber uses activated carbon–ethanol as adsorbent–refrigerant pair. It is cooled with water at nearly 30 °C and experiencing a sharp pressure increase of ethanol from 0.95 kPa initially to 6 kPa. The simulated temperatures at adsorbent thicknesses of 0, 1, 5 and 10 mm from tube outer diameter showed an increase in adsorbent temperature up to 20 °C from its initial temperature. They were slightly higher at start of adsorption and were consistent with experimental data at higher flow time. The validated CFD model will serve as a base for evaluating and optimizing activated carbon–ethanol adsorption cooling cycle. It can be extended also to different adsorber designs and other adsorbent–adsorbate pairs.