Thermodynamic based comparison of sorption systems for cooling and heat pumping

A comparison of thermodynamic performances of sorption systems (liquid absorption, adsorption, ammonia salts and metal hydrides) is carried out for typical applications (deep-freezing, ice making, air-conditioning and heat pumping) with either air-cooled or water-cooled heat sink. The results are given in terms of cooling coefficient of performance (COP) (heating COP or coefficient of amplification (COA) for the heat pump), cooling (heating) power versus reactor volume or weight and thermodynamic efficiency. LiBr-water systems show the best results for air-conditioning except when small units are required (metal hydride systems lead to more compact units). Other systems, however, show better results for other applications (chemical reaction with ammonia salts for deep-freezing, adsorption for heat pumping). (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.