An open activated carbon/CO2 sorption cooling system

The feasibility of a carbon dioxide desorption cooling process using an open reactor was studied. Easy control of the cooling phase and a relatively interesting energy storage capacity were demonstrated. Beyond the application examined, this process raises the problem of developing an adsorbent material with a high energy storage capacity and high heat- and mass-transfer properties. A method for defining the ideal activated carbon was developed from the Dubinin approach. Implementation of PX21, a commercial activated carbon with the closest to ideal characteristics for this application, was performed using a thermoplastic-expanded natural graphite combination. Dynamic simulation, validated with experimental data, demonstrated the interest of this product and defined perspectives for improvement.