Numerical investigation of adsorptive heat pump systems with thermal wave heat regeneration under uniform-pressure conditions

A numerical analysis of an adsorptive heat pump system with thermal wave heat regeneration is presented, using a two-dimensional model taking into account axial heat transfer in the circulating fluid and radial heat conduction in the adsorbent bed. The axial heat conduction in the adsorbent bed is neglected, allowing the two-dimensional model to be solved as a one-dimensional one. The time constants for heat exchange and heat conduction in the adsorbent bed are derived using the moment analysis and can be used to quantify the relative importance of the two heat transfer processes. The effects of the thermal conductivity and the cycle time on the process performance are also presented. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.